Commercial Radar Market to Drive Growth for High Power RF Transmitter Technologies

According to a Strategy Analytics Advanced Defense Systems (ADS) service report, the global commercial radar market will grow at a CAGR of 4.5%. The representing growth comes from traditional platforms as well as growth opportunities from addressing emerging threats. The report titled, “Commercial Radar Market Outlook 2016-2026,” predicts the total number of commercial radar shipments to reach 17,516 units in 2026.

A number of factors will drive the market for commercial radars. For airports, this includes new airport development projects and upgrades to existing facilities, driven by continued growth in air traffic, which will also drive demand for airborne radars. Other factors that will drive growth across the land and maritime domains will include:

  • IMO (International Maritime Organization) requirements pushing for vessels operating compliant radar systems
  • Ensuring perimeter security and intrusion detection to combat asymmetric threats
  • Developing robust counter-drone strategies.

Technology advancements around Doppler processing, dual-polarization, electronic digital beamforming, solid-state transceivers, pulsed-compression, direct digital data conversion, signal processing algorithms, 3-D displays and data analytics are adding impetus to radar spending globally through both upgrades on existing systems as well as new radar procurements.

The adoption of solid-state semiconductors RF transmitters in longer range, higher power ATC (Air Traffic Control) primary radars is still at an early stage but Hensoldt’s ASR-NG System is one example of a GaN-based system that is available on the market. Meanwhile, companies such as Blighter Surveillance Systems and Kelvin Hughes (which is being acquired by Hensoldt), have replaced vacuum tube RF transmitters with GaAs and GaN respectively for perimeter protection, counter-drone, marine radar (for smaller vessels, e.g. recreational) and other commercial radar systems that require an optimal balance between performance and cost.

The industry needs to understand which segments of the commercial radar market will drive growth, what technologies will underpin the high power RF requirements and which strategies, whether it be mergers, acquisitions or partnerships, will provide the best return on investment. This report and the associated data models are designed to provide the first steps in understanding this opportunity.

Click here to download the report.

Publisher: everything RF