Stealth Technology Market Report 2026

The stealth technology market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $36.76 billion in 2025 to $40.38 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to development of early stealth aircraft and naval vessels, advancements in radar-absorbing materials and coatings, government and defense funding for stealth research programs, integration of stealth design principles in ground and air platforms, deployment of plasma stealth and signature reduction technologies.

The stealth technology market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $58.19 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising demand for next-generation stealth aircraft and submarines, adoption of advanced materials and coatings for enhanced radar and infrared invisibility, expansion of stealth systems integration and mro services, development of stealth technologies for ground and space-based platforms, increased collaboration between defense contractors and technology firms for cutting-edge signature reduction solutions. Major trends in the forecast period include enhanced radar absorbent materials development, integration of multi-sensor stealth techniques, growing demand for stealth in naval and submarine applications, expansion of plasma stealth technology, increasing importance of stealth in homeland security applications.

The rising geopolitical tensions are expected to propel the growth of the stealth technology market going forward. Geopolitical tensions refer to conflicts or rivalries between nations or groups that arise from competing interests over territory, resources, power, or influence. Rising geopolitical tensions largely stem from unresolved regional disputes, which create persistent instability, fuel arms buildups, and strain diplomatic relations, making international cooperation increasingly fragile. Stealth technology helps address geopolitical tensions by enhancing military deterrence and reducing the detectability of critical assets, thereby strengthening a country’s strategic advantage and complicating adversaries’ targeting capabilities. For instance, in January 2025, according to Euronews SA, a France-based television network, global conflicts intensified in 2024, with political violence rising by 25% compared to 2023, affecting one in eight people and resulting in approximately 223,000 deaths, along with a 37% increase in overall fatalities. Therefore, the rising geopolitical tensions are driving the growth of the stealth technology market.

Leading companies in the stealth technology sector are advancing capabilities through innovations such as additive manufacturing to improve design accuracy, reduce manufacturing costs, and boost the adaptability and performance of stealth systems. Additive manufacturing involves creating three-dimensional objects by layering materials like plastics, metals, or composites based on digital models. For instance, in February 2024, Saab AB, a Sweden-based aerospace and defense firm, introduced a new supersonic stealth-capable loyal wingman drone concept. This autonomous drone is built to operate alongside manned fighter jets, enhancing mission effectiveness while minimizing risks to human pilots. Its sleek, blended wing-body design is optimized for supersonic speeds and low radar visibility. Saab’s initiative reflects ongoing progress in unmanned aerial systems and the increasing significance of AI-driven platforms in future air combat.

In January 2024, Boeing Co., a US aerospace company, collaborated with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to revolutionize stealth aircraft design. This partnership aims to develop next-generation stealth aircraft by integrating active flow control technology that uses pressurized air instead of traditional moving surfaces on experimental platforms like the X-65. This innovation is expected to improve stealth, performance, and modularity for future military uses. DARPA is a US-based agency specializing in the development of cutting-edge military technologies, including stealth systems.

Major companies operating in the stealth technology market are Raytheon Technologies Corporation, The Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Airbus Group SE, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Rostec, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., BAE Systems Public Limited Company, Safran S.A., Thales Group, Leonardo Società per Azioni, Rheinmetall Aktiengesellschaft, Elbit Systems Ltd., Naval Group S.A., Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Hensoldt AG, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., Aselsan Elektronik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş., Hanwha Systems Co. Ltd., Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc.

North America was the largest region in the stealth technology market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the stealth technology 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 have introduced challenges to the stealth technology market by increasing costs and disrupting supply chains for specialized materials and components used in stealth systems, particularly impacting aerospace and naval segments. Regions such as North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific face delays and cost escalations due to tariffs on raw materials and advanced electronics. However, tariffs have also encouraged domestic manufacturing and local supplier development, potentially boosting innovation and self-reliance in key markets. The military and homeland security sectors continue to absorb these impacts due to critical demand, while commercial applications may experience slower growth.

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

Stealth technology encompasses techniques aimed at reducing the detection of objects by radar, infrared, sonar, and other sensing methods. It focuses on minimizing emissions such as heat, sound, and electromagnetic waves to make the object less visible or even invisible to surveillance and tracking systems.

The main categories of stealth technology include stealth aircraft, stealth fighters, stealth bombers, and more. Stealth aircraft are engineered to evade detection through the use of advanced materials and design approaches that reduce radar, infrared, acoustic, and other signatures. This technology is classified based on factors such as radar cross-section reduction, plasma cloud generation, infrared signature suppression, radar and acoustic emission control, and radio frequency emission management. Applications span aerospace, naval vessels, land vehicles, missile systems, and others, with primary end-users including the military, homeland security agencies, and commercial sectors.

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

The stealth technology market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as testing and evaluation services, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, systems integration services, and consulting and advisory services. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The stealth technology market also includes sales of stealth helicopters, stealth submarines, stealth ground installations, and plasma stealth. 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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