Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Market Size
| Study Period | 2019 - 2029 |
| Market Size (2024) | USD 5.21 Billion |
| Market Size (2029) | USD 8.80 Billion |
| CAGR (2024 - 2029) | 11.07 % |
| Fastest Growing Market | Asia Pacific |
| Largest Market | North America |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
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Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Market Analysis
The Synthetic Aperture Radar Market size is estimated at USD 5.21 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 8.80 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 11.07% during the forecast period (2024-2029).
The pandemic has led to increased demand for satellite imagery, including the economic impact of the virus and conducting remote monitoring of facilities and infrastructure. Further, the market is witnessing increased demand from the oil and gas industry. For instance, Ursa Space Systems, which offers satellite data and analytics, observed the impact of COVID-19 on global oil inventories as the company provides weekly reports on 11,000 oil storage tanks using SAR satellites.
- With the proliferation of drones, innovation in navigation, and radar systems for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) driving, the demand for SAR systems and data is expected to play a vital role, and vendors in the market are expected to focus on expanding their presence in this space. For instance, IMSAR produces low-weight, size, and power synthetic aperture radar systems integrated with uncrewed aerial vehicles and drones; its NSP-3 is an all-weather multi-mode SAR used for land and maritime operations.
- Moreover, the European Union's maritime safety agency (EMSA) also observed an increase in the need for SAR data, especially for its Copernicus Maritime Surveillance program, which offers earth observation products to member governments for law enforcement, fishery management, pollution monitoring, and other applications. EMSA's Copernicus Maritime Surveillance program buys Radarsat-2 data through MDA and TerraSAR-X data through Airbus; it also relies on free SAR data from Europe's Sentinel-1 satellite to detect oil spills under a separate program called CleanSeaNet.
- Over the coming years, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to increase its funding in various military and environmental missions and partner with global players to expand its SAR capabilities further. For instance, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), in partnership with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), is launching a dual-frequency synthetic aperture radar NISAR in the last year.
- Despite various advantages of the SAR systems, it is significantly underused compared to traditional optical imagery. To overcome this, the Department of Commerce and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced licensing of Private Remote Sensing Space Systems, which revised the regulations for licensing the operation of private remote sensing space systems under the Land Remote Sensing Policy Act of 1992.
Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Market Trends
This section covers the major market trends shaping the Synthetic Aperture Radar Market according to our research experts:
Growing Demand of Synthetic Aperture Radar in Military and Defense Sector is Driving the Market
- In military applications, a synthetic aperture radar is used to detect surface features, like building complexes, missile sites, and topographical features of the surrounding terrain. Thus, it is used for battlefield surveillance, weapon guidance, and mission planning of future operations.
- The increased military and defense spending enables the defense sector to develop missiles with improved precision targeting. Compared to airborne SAR, missile-borne SAR has various essential characteristics, such as high flight speed with straight movement and a large squint angle, which are crucial in measuring precision in real-time.
- Further, Applications, such as weapons fire-control (missiles or guns) and accuracy control, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance missions, air, and spaceborne SAR systems, are expected to witness high adoption of ground-based systems.
- In addition, The United States Air Force used synthetic aperture radar for a bomb damage assessment at Nellis AFB in Nevada. During this test, weapons systems, including F-15Es, F-35s, F-16s, FA-18s, RQ-4, MQ-9, U-2, and joint partners, used SAR Mapping technology to assess the bombs that hit and destroy the intended targets.
- Also, In the defense sector, wide-area surveillance has diverse applications, such as monitoring remote areas for human movement, coast guard vessels, offshore missile platforms, and perimeter security. Technological developments have led to the increasing adoption of Unmanned Airborne Surveillance (UAS) systems or drones.
North America Expected to Witness Significant Growth.
- The United States has one of the most significant national defense budgets and has proactively invested in research and development activities. The defense budget is increasing rapidly each year. For the fiscal year (FY) last year, the defense department proposed USD 715 billion for the Pentagon, an increase of about USD 10 billion. The budget proposal for Pentagon includes the largest-ever investment for research, development, and engineering for USD 112 billion.
- The increasing budgets reflect upon the growing research on the application of synthetic aperture radars in defense. Recently, the United States Air Force Research Laboratory officials at the Ohio base announced a USD 5.2 million contract to the BAE Systems Electronic Systems segment and a USD 4.1 million contract to the Utah State University Space Dynamics Laboratory for the moving target recognition project (MTR).
- In the last year, Satellite designer and manufacturer Terran Orbital Corp. announced that it had received a USD 100 million investment from Lockheed Martin to allow the company to accelerate and expand its manufacturing capabilities.
- Also, the first satellite developed, licensed, and run by ICEYE US was among the fifteenth and 16 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites that ICEYE sent into orbit in January last year. Both satellites were launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on the SpaceX Transporter-3 smallsat rideshare mission with Exolaunch.
- Canada is also growing in terms of satellite imaging using SAR for research purposes. The country's space strategy prioritizes acquiring and using space-based data to support scientific excellence, innovation, and economic growth. For instance, MDA Ltd., a Canadian space technology company, recently announced designing and developing of Radarsat-2, the C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite. The firm is building the satellite in a public-private partnership with the Canadian government.
Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Industry Overview
The synthetic aperture radar market is moderately fragmented and consists of several international and regional vendors. Moreover, due to relatively moderate product differentiation, the companies are heavily investing in developing strategic decisions to maintain a distinct competitive advantage through collaborations and acquisitions.
- June 2022 - After passing testing for integration with the satellite and finally with the launch vehicle, the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission payload is planned to be transported to India. For global observations over the whole land mass, including the Polar cryosphere and the Indian Ocean region, NISAR is a combined earth observation program between ISRO and NASA.
Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Market Leaders
Lockheed Martin Corporation
Airbus SE
Aselsan A.S.
BAE Systems PLC
Cobham PLC
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Market News
- In May 2022- ICEYE, a microsatellite manufacturer, recently announced a partnership with the European Space Agency to provide flood information to Copernicus Emergency Services. Important flood impact data from ICEYE that demonstrates the depth and scope of the flood will be provided.
- In November 2022 - Synspective, a provider of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite data and solutions, and Geo Climate Risk Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (GCRS), a solution provider, consultancy, and advisory services firm that focuses on natural hazards risk analytics and environmental and sustainability challenges, are happy to announce a new partnership for SAR-based analysis solutions for critical infrastructure and mining industries in India and throughout South Asia.
Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Market Report - Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition
1.2 Scope of the Study
2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
4. MARKET INSIGHTS
4.1 Market Overview
4.2 Industry Attractiveness - Porters Five Force Analysis
4.2.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
4.2.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers
4.2.3 Threat of New Entrants
4.2.4 Threat of Substitute Products
4.2.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry
4.3 Assessment of COVID-19 Impact on the Industry
5. MARKET DYNAMICS
5.1 Market Drivers
5.1.1 Increasing Demand for Enhanced Imaging Technology for Remote Sensing
5.1.2 Increasing Geopolitical Instabilities in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific Regions, Leading to Surveillance Demand
5.1.3 Growing Demand of Synthetic Aperture Radar in Military and Defense Sector
5.2 Market Restraints
5.2.1 Performance Limitations of Synthetic Aperture Radar Systems
6. MARKET SEGMENTATION
6.1 Application
6.1.1 Military and Defense
6.1.2 Monitoring and Exploration
6.1.3 Other Applications
6.2 Geography
6.2.1 North America
6.2.2 Europe
6.2.3 Asia Pacific
6.2.4 Latin America
6.2.5 Middle East and Africa
7. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
7.1 Company Profiles
7.1.1 Lockheed Martin Corporation
7.1.2 Airbus SE
7.1.3 Aselsan A.S.
7.1.4 BAE Systems Plc
7.1.5 Cobham Plc (Advent)
7.1.6 General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc.
7.1.7 L3Harris Technologies
7.1.8 IMSAR LLC
7.1.9 Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd
7.1.10 Leonardo SpA
7.1.11 Maxar Technologies Ltd
7.1.12 MetaSensing Group
7.1.13 Northrop Grumman Corporation
7.1.14 Raytheon Company
7.1.15 Saab AB
7.1.16 SAR AERO
7.1.17 SRC Inc.
7.1.18 Thales Group
- *List Not Exhaustive
8. INVESTMENT ANALYSIS
9. FUTURE OF THE MARKET
Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Industry Segmentation
Global Synthetic aperture radar is a form of radar used to create two-dimensional images or three-dimensional reconstructions of objects, such as landscapes. SAR uses the motion of the radar antenna over a target region to provide finer spatial resolution than conventional beam-scanning radars. The study highlights critical applications across areas, such as military and defense, monitoring and exploration, and other applications.
The Global Synthetic Aperture Radar Market is segmented by Application (Military and Defense, Monitoring and Exploration) and Geography.
The market sizes and forecasts are provided in terms of value (USD million) for all the above segments.
| Application | |
| Military and Defense | |
| Monitoring and Exploration | |
| Other Applications |
| Geography | |
| North America | |
| Europe | |
| Asia Pacific | |
| Latin America | |
| Middle East and Africa |
Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Market Research FAQs
How big is the Synthetic Aperture Radar Market?
The Synthetic Aperture Radar Market size is expected to reach USD 5.21 billion in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 11.07% to reach USD 8.80 billion by 2029.
What is the current Synthetic Aperture Radar Market size?
In 2024, the Synthetic Aperture Radar Market size is expected to reach USD 5.21 billion.
Who are the key players in Synthetic Aperture Radar Market?
Lockheed Martin Corporation , Airbus SE , Aselsan A.S., BAE Systems PLC and Cobham PLC are the major companies operating in the Synthetic Aperture Radar Market.
Which is the fastest growing region in Synthetic Aperture Radar Market?
Asia Pacific is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period (2024-2029).
Which region has the biggest share in Synthetic Aperture Radar Market?
In 2024, the North America accounts for the largest market share in Synthetic Aperture Radar Market.
What years does this Synthetic Aperture Radar Market cover, and what was the market size in 2023?
In 2023, the Synthetic Aperture Radar Market size was estimated at USD 4.69 billion. The report covers the Synthetic Aperture Radar Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The report also forecasts the Synthetic Aperture Radar Market size for years: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029.
What are the key drivers of the SAR Market?
The Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Market is driven by: a) Advancements in radar technology b) Increasing demand for earth observation satellites c) Growing need for surveillance and reconnaissance
How is the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Market segmented?
The Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Market is segmented based on platform (space-based, air-based), application (commercial, defense), and geography, allowing for targeted insights into each sector's growth and potential.
Synthetic Aperture Radar Industry Report
The Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Market is witnessing significant growth, fueled by its broad applications in military, defense, commercial, and environmental monitoring. Renowned for delivering high-resolution images in any weather or time, its demand is on the rise. Market segmentation includes components like receivers, transmitters, antennas, and frequency bands from Ultra-high frequency (UHF)/Very high frequency (VHF), meeting various needs. The versatility of synthetic aperture radar satellites is showcased in their use across airborne, spacecraft, and ground-based platforms, capable of single and multimode operations. With a global footprint spanning North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East, the market thrives on the need for advanced imaging for remote sensing, increased geopolitical instabilities requiring superior surveillance, and the military's demand for accurate data. As synthetic aperture radar technology evolves, it's set for further growth, promising innovative monitoring, exploration, and security solutions worldwide. For detailed market insights, Mordor Intelligenceā¢ offers a comprehensive analysis, including forecasts and a historical overview, available as a free report PDF download.
