Hypersonic Defense Systems Market Report 2026

The hypersonic defense systems market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $7.41 billion in 2025 to $8.68 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.2%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to escalating development of hypersonic weapons prompting early interceptor and radar research, increased defense budgets supporting high-speed threat detection programs, adoption of advanced sensors and tracking systems to monitor maneuverable targets, expansion of command and control modernization initiatives, early integration of directed energy concepts into missile defense architectures.

The hypersonic defense systems market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $16.19 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rapid advancement of multi-layered defense networks for hypersonic interception, growing investments in next-generation radar and over-the-horizon tracking technologies, commercialization of improved kill vehicle and interceptor designs, accelerated development cycles driven by geopolitical competition, adoption of AI-based decision support systems to enhance interception accuracy. Major trends in the forecast period include increased investment in hypersonic threat detection networks, rapid development of multi-layered interceptor architectures, expansion of high-speed tracking and targeting technologies, growing adoption of directed energy interception systems, integration of space-based surveillance for hypersonic monitoring.

The increase in geopolitical tensions is expected to drive the growth of the hypersonic defense systems market in the coming years. Geopolitical tensions refer to disputes or strains between nations or regions arising from political, economic, or territorial disagreements. These tensions are fueled by competition over natural resources, as countries aim to secure energy, minerals, and water, resulting in conflicts and strained international relations. Hypersonic defense systems contribute to geopolitical tensions, as their advanced speed, maneuverability, and strike capabilities, enabled by technologies such as scramjet engines, hypersonic glide vehicles, and advanced guidance systems, intensify military competition, create strategic uncertainty, and push countries to accelerate defense modernization, increase arms development, and develop counter-hypersonic technologies. For instance, in December 2024, according to Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED), a US-based crisis mapping and conflict data organization, global conflicts have doubled over the last five years, with the number of deaths in conflicts rising 30 percent from 179,099 in 2023 to 233,597 in 2024. Consequently, the rise in geopolitical tensions is driving growth in the hypersonic defense systems market.

Leading companies in the hypersonic defense systems market are focusing on product innovation, such as multi-mission missiles, to enhance versatility, extend engagement range, and provide rapid response capabilities against evolving aerial and missile threats. A multi-mission missile is a versatile weapon system designed to perform multiple roles, such as air-to-air, surface-to-air, or surface-to-surface engagements, using a single adaptable platform. For example, in April 2024, Lockheed Martin Corporation, a US-based aerospace, defense, and security company, unveiled the Mako hypersonic missile at the Navy League’s Sea-Air-Space exposition in Maryland, representing a major advancement in next-generation strike capabilities. The air-launched, multi-mission weapon is the first of its kind designed for deployment from the internal weapons bays of stealth aircraft such as the F-35 and F-22, with compatibility across additional US military aircraft and naval platforms. Developed over seven years, Mako achieves speeds exceeding Mach 5 and provides high maneuverability, precision, and survivability against advanced air-defense systems, enabling versatile operations across air, land, and maritime domains.

In May 2024, Cerberus Capital Management, L.P., a US-based aerospace and defense company, acquired Calspan Aero Systems Engineering for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Cerberus aims to enhance US hypersonic research and testing capabilities by integrating Calspan Aero Systems Engineering’s expertise and resources under North Wind. Calspan Aero Systems Engineering is a US-based aerospace and defense company providing hypersonic and defense test systems, flight testing, and engineering services for aerospace and defense applications.

Major companies operating in the hypersonic defense systems market are Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin Corporation, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), General Dynamics Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, BAE Systems plc, Safran S.A., Thales Group, L3Harris Technologies Inc., Leonardo S.p.A., Leidos Holdings Inc., Saab AB, Kongsberg Gruppen ASA, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., QinetiQ, Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings Inc., Defence Research and Development Organisation India (DRDO), Honeywell Aerospace, Almaz-Antey, Raytheon Technologies Corporation, NPO Mashinostroyenia.

North America was the largest region in the hypersonic defense systems market in 2025. The regions covered in the hypersonic defense systems 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 advanced materials, propulsion components, radar electronics, and semiconductor systems have elevated production costs for hypersonic defense solutions, particularly affecting interceptor and radar subsystem supply chains in regions reliant on imports such as Europe and Asia-Pacific. These tariffs also slow procurement cycles and impact multinational development programs. However, they incentivize domestic manufacturing, strengthen national defense industrial bases, and accelerate investment in indigenous research and development for next-generation hypersonic detection and interception technologies.

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

Hypersonic defense systems are advanced military technologies developed to detect, track, and intercept hypersonic weapons that travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5. Their purpose is to safeguard nations from high-speed, highly maneuverable threats by enabling rapid response, precise targeting, and layered missile defense capabilities.

The primary types of hypersonic defense systems include hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs), hypersonic cruise missiles (HCMs), and hypersonic spaceplanes. Hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs) are advanced weapons engineered to travel at speeds above Mach 5 while maneuvering within the atmosphere to avoid detection and interception. These systems are composed of components such as interceptor missiles, radar systems, command and control systems, launch systems, and others, and they are deployed across land-based, naval, airborne, and space-based platforms. They operate at speeds ranging from Mach 5 to Mach 10 and beyond, with primary end users including the military, homeland security, and other defense-related entities.

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

The hypersonic defense systems market consists of sales of interceptors, radar systems, command and control systems, sensors, tracking systems, launch platforms, and directed energy weapons. 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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