Airborne Satellite Communication (SATCOM) System Market Report 2026

The airborne satellite communication (SATCOM) system market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $6.88 billion in 2025 to $7.54 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.7%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing reliance on airborne communication for remote operations, growth in military and commercial aviation connectivity, advancements in antenna stabilization and multiplexing technologies, adoption of satcom systems for long-distance military missions, rising investments in high-reliability airborne communication networks.

The airborne satellite communication (SATCOM) system market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $10.84 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.5%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to development of next-generation high-throughput satcom systems, integration with AI-based network optimization, expansion in drone and UAV communication applications, growth in multi-band and multi-orbit satcom adoption, rising demand for seamless global airborne connectivity for defense missions. Major trends in the forecast period include expansion of satellite-based connectivity for remote aviation, growth in multi-band satcom adoption, rising demand for secure airborne communications, increasing integration of satcom in unmanned aerial platforms, advancements in high-altitude long-endurance (hale) connectivity.

The increasing air passenger traffic is expected to propel the growth of the airborne satellite communication (SATCOM) system market going forward. Air passenger traffic measures the total number of people traveling on commercial aircraft over a given period, including both domestic and international flights. Air passenger traffic is rising due to growing middle-class income levels, which enable more people to afford air travel for both business and leisure purposes, increasing the number of travelers globally. Rising air passenger traffic drives demand for airborne SATCOM systems as airlines require reliable in-flight communication and internet services to manage larger passenger volumes efficiently while ensuring safety, operational coordination, and passenger connectivity. For instance, in January 2025, according to the International Air Transport Association, a Canada-based trade association, domestic full-year air traffic increased by 5.7% in 2024 over the previous year, accompanied by a 2.5% growth in available capacity. Therefore, the increasing air passenger traffic is driving the growth of the airborne satellite communication (SATCOM) system market.

Major companies operating in the airborne satellite communication (SATCOM) system market are focusing on developing multi-orbit capability to enhance global satellite coverage, improve network reliability, and enable seamless high-speed connectivity across diverse regions. Multi-orbit capability refers to a satellite system’s ability to operate across different orbital regimes, enabling enhanced coverage, redundancy, and flexibility for communication, navigation, and data services. For instance, in May 2024, SES S.A., a Luxembourg-based traded satellite communications company, launched SES Open Orbits, a multi-orbit Ka-band inflight connectivity network for airlines. The network combines SES’s GEO (geostationary) and MEO (medium-earth orbit) satellites, plus regional partners Neo Space Group, AeroSat Link, and Hughes Communications India, enabling seamless global coverage. Its open-architecture design allows traffic to be dynamically steered across different satellite systems so airlines can deliver consistent connectivity from take-off to landing. This launch aims to revolutionize in-flight connectivity by providing airlines with uninterrupted, high-speed internet access worldwide, enhancing passenger experience and operational efficiency.

In December 2024, Gogo Inc., a US-based telecommunications services company, acquired Satcom Direct Inc. for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Gogo Inc. aims to strengthen its position in the in-flight connectivity sector by integrating Satcom Direct Inc.'s advanced satellite communication solutions, enhancing global coverage, improving network reliability, and delivering seamless high-speed connectivity to commercial and business aircraft. Satcom Direct Inc. is a US-based company specializing in airborne SATCOM systems.

Major companies operating in the airborne satellite communication (SATCOM) system market are RTX Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Honeywell International Inc., BAE Systems plc, Collins Aerospace, Thales S.A., L3Harris Technologies Inc., Ball Corporation, Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd., Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd., Viasat Inc., General Dynamics Mission Systems Inc., ASELSAN Electronics Industry and Trade Inc., Intelsat S.A., Telesat Corporation, Smiths Interconnect Inc., Hughes Network Systems LLC, Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd., Orbit Communications Systems Ltd., Cobham Aerospace Communications Dourdan SACA.

North America was the largest region in the airborne satellite communication (SATCOM) system market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the airborne satellite communication (SATCOM) 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 on electronic components and satellite communication hardware have increased manufacturing costs for transceivers, antennas, radios, and SATCOM terminals, slowing market expansion across North America and Asia-Pacific where supply chains are heavily import dependent. Higher tariffs on semiconductor materials and radio frequency modules have particularly impacted the component and frequency segments. Regions reliant on foreign SATCOM technology face longer lead times and procurement delays, while domestic manufacturers in some markets benefit from reduced foreign competition, encouraging local production and innovation-driven investment.

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

Airborne satellite communication (SATCOM) system refers to a satellite communication system installed on aircraft, including fixed-wing planes, helicopters, or drones, to enable reliable long-distance voice, data, and video transmission. It provides seamless connectivity in remote areas, over oceans, or during military operations where terrestrial networks are unavailable.

The main components of airborne satellite communication (SATCOM) systems are transceivers, airborne radio, modems and routers, and SATCOM terminals. Transceivers in airborne SATCOM systems transmit and receive satellite signals, enabling secure two-way communication between aircraft and ground or satellite networks. Various frequency types include c-band, l-band, ka-band, ku-band, and uhf-band, and different platforms include fixed-wing aircraft, rotary-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, and satellite platforms. It is applied for military communication, commercial aviation, search and rescue, remote sensing, and disaster management, serving key end users including government, defense, private aviation, and commercial airlines.

The countries covered in the airborne satellite communication (satcom) system market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The airborne satellite communication (SATCOM) system market consists of sales of antenna mounts, stabilization gimbals, diplexers, and multiplexers. 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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