Airborne Target Acquisition Systems Market Report 2025

The airborne target acquisition systems market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $15.0 billion in 2024 to $15.66 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.4%. The growth during the historic period can be credited to greater AI integration in target detection, expanded use of unmanned aerial vehicles, progress in sensor fusion technology, heightened focus on battlefield situational awareness, and increased investments in electronic warfare systems.

The airborne target acquisition systems market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $18.36 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.1%. The anticipated growth in the forecast period is driven by the growing adoption of multi-sensor systems, higher demand for automated threat identification, increased investments in next-generation radar technologies, a stronger emphasis on network-centric warfare capabilities, and greater integration of machine learning for target analysis. Key trends expected during this period include advancements in compact radar systems, the development of AI-powered target recognition, innovations in stealth detection technologies, improvements in real-time data processing, and the creation of integrated sensor networks.

The growing need for border surveillance is expected to drive the expansion of the airborne target acquisition systems market. Border surveillance utilizes advanced technologies to monitor border areas in real time, aiming to detect, prevent, and address illegal crossings or potential threats. Increasing security concerns are contributing to the demand for such surveillance, leading to broader adoption of advanced systems capable of tracking risks and unauthorized entries. Airborne target acquisition systems play a vital role in border surveillance by offering real-time aerial detection, tracking, and threat identification. Their advanced sensors and wide-area coverage facilitate rapid responses in remote or challenging border regions. For example, in November 2022, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security reported that encounters by U.S. Border Patrol rose by 139% in fiscal year 2022, reaching 497,681 compared to 208,567 in fiscal year 2021. As a result, the rising need for border surveillance is contributing to the growth of the airborne target acquisition systems market.

Companies operating in the airborne target acquisition systems sector are focusing on advanced solutions, including AI-enabled airborne targeting systems, to enhance performance in complex combat scenarios. These systems use artificial intelligence to automatically detect, classify, and track targets with improved speed and accuracy. They provide greater situational awareness, threat assessment, and targeting efficiency during dynamic surveillance and combat operations. For instance, in September 2024, Germany-based defense electronics firm Hensoldt introduced the ARGOS-15 at the Africa Aerospace and Defense Expo. This 15-inch gimbal system features AI-powered object detection, classification, and tracking, improving real-time decision-making and mission success. The ARGOS-15 is suitable for both manned and unmanned airborne platforms, delivering high performance in intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions.

In May 2024, Airbus, a France-based aerospace company, acquired Flexrotor from Aerovel for an undisclosed sum. This move is aimed at strengthening Airbus’s unmanned aerial systems (UAS) offerings by incorporating Aerovel’s Flexrotor, a vertical-takeoff-and-landing (VTOL), long-endurance drone - into its defense and surveillance lineup. Aerovel is a U.S.-based producer of airborne target acquisition systems.

Major players in the airborne target acquisition systems market are Raytheon Technologies Corporation, The Boeing Company, Lock Martin Corporation, Airbus, General Dynamics Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, BAE Systems plc, Safran SA, Thales Group, L3Harris Technologies Inc., Leidos Holdings Inc., Rheinmetall AG, Saab AB, Hensoldt AG, Aselsan A.S., Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc., Teledyne FLIR, Kearfott Corporation, Thermoteknix Systems Ltd., Blighter Surveillance Systems Limited.

North America was the largest region in the airborne target acquisition systems market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in airborne target acquisition systems report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the airborne target acquisition systems market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

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.

The sharp hike in U.S. tariffs and the associated trade disputes in spring 2025 are notably impacting the aerospace and defense sector by raising costs for titanium, carbon fiber composites, and avionics materials largely sourced from global suppliers. Defense contractors, locked into fixed-price government contracts, absorb these added costs, while commercial aerospace firms face airline pushback on higher aircraft prices. Delays in component shipments due to customs bottlenecks further disrupt tight production schedules for jets and satellites. The industry is responding by stockpiling critical materials, seeking waivers for defense-related imports, and collaborating with allied nations to diversify supply chain.

Airborne target acquisition systems are sophisticated military technologies designed to detect, identify, and monitor targets from airborne platforms. Their main purpose is to improve situational awareness and targeting precision during combat missions. Additionally, they enhance mission success rates, shorten response times, support strategic defense goals, and strengthen modern, technology-based defense capabilities.

The primary platforms for airborne target acquisition systems include fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Fixed-wing aircraft outfitted with these systems offer long-range surveillance and high-altitude target detection, boosting intelligence gathering and battlefield visibility. These systems employ various technologies such as radar, electro-optical or infrared (EO/IR) sensors, and electronic support measures (ESM), covering multiple ranges: short (0-8 kilometers), medium (8-250 kilometers), and long (over 250 kilometers). They are utilized in a wide range of operations, including air-to-air combat, air-to-ground reconnaissance, maritime surveillance, and electronic warfare, serving key users like military forces and homeland security agencies.

The airborne target acquisition systems market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides airborne target acquisition systems market statistics, including the airborne target acquisition systems industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with the airborne target acquisition systems market share, detailed airborne target acquisition systems market segments, market trends, opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the airborne target acquisition systems industry. This airborne target acquisition systems 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.

The airborne target acquisition systems market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as threat detection, target tracking, surveillance integration, and precision targeting solutions. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The airborne target acquisition systems market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as threat detection, target tracking, surveillance integration, and precision targeting solutions. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The airborne target acquisition systems market also includes sales of sensor payloads, communication systems, and fire control systems. 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 and 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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