Aircraft Carrier Catapult System Market Report 2026

The aircraft carrier catapult system market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $3.06 billion in 2025 to $3.24 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to adoption of steam and hydraulic catapult systems in aircraft carriers, development of sensor and control units for precise aircraft launch, rising demand for reliable energy storage and braking systems, implementation of system integration and testing services for operational readiness, deployment of catapult systems to support fixed-wing naval aircraft operations.

The aircraft carrier catapult system market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $4.06 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing investment in electromagnetic aircraft launch systems (e-ails) for next-generation carriers, expansion of training, simulation, and logistics support services, focus on integrating advanced sensors and automation for improved launch efficiency, rising procurement of modular and upgradeable catapult components, increasing adoption of energy-efficient and high-capacity power systems for carrier operations. Major trends in the forecast period include adoption of emals, smart sensors and diagnostics, automation of carrier launch operations, energy-efficient launch technologies, modular upgradeable catapult systems.

The increasing air traffic is expected to propel the growth of the aircraft carrier catapult system market going forward. Air traffic refers to the movement of aircraft in the airspace and at airports, including all flights controlled by air traffic management systems. The rising trend in air traffic is a result of improved infrastructure at airports, allowing for greater flight volume, quicker aircraft turnaround, and enhanced efficiency in passenger operations. The aircraft carrier catapult system supports this by ensuring efficient, safe, and timely launches from the confined space of naval carriers, making it a vital tool for operations in busy air environments. For instance, in November 2024, according to Eurostat, a Luxembourg-based government agency, in 2023, the number of passengers transported by air rose by 19.3% compared to 2022. Therefore, the increasing air traffic drives the aircraft carrier catapult system market.

Major companies in the aircraft carrier catapult system market are focusing on developing technologically advanced solutions such as drone catapult systems to enhance autonomous launch capabilities and operational efficiency. Drone catapult systems refer to ground-or ship-based launch mechanisms designed to rapidly and safely propel unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) into flight without the need for a runway. For instance, in January 2025, General Atomics, a US-based defense and technology company, launched the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) to enable the launch of drones from a wide range of naval vessels, including aircraft carriers, destroyers, and expeditionary sea bases. These systems are compact, scalable, and tailored specifically for unmanned operations, allowing integration into vessels with limited deck space. This enables drone takeoff with a much shorter distance (about 22 meters or 72 feet) compared to traditional aircraft catapults, making it highly suitable for ships with smaller flight decks.

In September 2025, QinetiQ US, a US-based defense technology company, partnered with General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) to provide control hardware and software for the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and the Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG). The collaboration aims to support the integration of EMALS and AAG on the U.S. Navy’s next Ford-class aircraft carrier, the future USS Doris Miller (CVN 81). This partnership is intended to enhance the Navy’s aircraft launch and recovery capabilities through advanced control systems, improving operational efficiency, precision, and reliability for next-generation naval aviation platforms. GA-EMS is a US-based provider of advanced energy and electromagnetic technologies.

Major companies operating in the aircraft carrier catapult system market are Lockheed Martin Corporation, Boeing Company, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Honeywell Systems and Manufacturing Inc, BAE Systems, Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding, Thales S.A., L3Harris Technologies, Leonardo S.p.A, Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), Fincantieri S.p.A, Elbit Systems, Babcock International Group, Naval Group S.A., General Atomics, Moog Inc, Curtiss-Wright Corporation, QinetiQ Group PLC, Hanjin Heavy Industries, Nevskoye Design Bureau.

North America was the largest region in the aircraft carrier catapult system market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the aircraft carrier catapult system market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs increase costs for imported metals, electronics, and electromagnetic components used in catapult systems, affecting programs in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. These added costs can delay fleet carrier upgrades and amphibious ship programs, though tariffs may also encourage domestic production and strengthen national industrial capabilities in advanced naval launch technologies.

The aircraft carrier catapult system market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides aircraft carrier catapult system market statistics, including the aircraft carrier catapult system industry's global market size, regional shares, competitors with the aircraft carrier catapult system market share, detailed aircraft carrier catapult system market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the aircraft carrier catapult system market. This aircraft carrier catapult system market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

An aircraft carrier catapult system is a mechanical apparatus used aboard aircraft carriers to assist in launching aircraft from the deck by swiftly accelerating them to the required takeoff speed. This mechanism allows fixed-wing aircraft to become airborne within the restricted runway length available on a carrier. It is a critical component for enabling effective and safe aircraft operations in maritime environments.

There are several primary types of aircraft carrier catapult systems, including amphibious assault ships, helicopter carriers, and fleet carriers. Amphibious assault ships are naval platforms designed to deploy and support ground troops by transporting personnel, vehicles, and aircraft for amphibious missions. These systems are powered using either conventional or nuclear energy. They accommodate a variety of aircraft, including fixed-wing aircraft, rotary-wing aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The key end users of these systems include military forces and defense contractors.

The countries covered in the aircraft carrier catapult system market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The aircraft carrier catapult system market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as system integration, testing and calibration, training and simulation, logistics and spare parts support installation. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The aircraft carrier catapult system market also includes sales of sensors, braking systems, energy storage units, electromagnetic coils power systems, and control units. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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