SYNTHETIC APERTURE RADAR MARKET ANALYSIS

Synthetic aperture radar market refers to the space and air-based SAR that functions on the principle of transmission and reception of the reflected signals that interact with the ground and aid in the imaging, tracking, detection and characterization. SAR finds significant applications over the conventional electro optical (EO) imaging systems, primarily owing to microwaves being able to penetrate through clouds and provide consistent 24 hour, all weather data efficiency.

Increasing traction of UAVs and UCAVs is expected to present considerable market traction through the forecast period

Increasing application of UAVs and their requirements for security and countermeasure operations has led to significant advancements in the electronic component integration that includes command, control, communications computers, intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance systems (C4IRS) to support military and defense operations. This in turn leads to increased utilization of these UAVs in surveillance and attack missions by the defense agencies and garner high traction to the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) market.

Incorporation of advanced control system software tools to seamlessly support planning, implementing, seamless communication, data processing and dissemination has led to increased applications. Moreover, substantial potential of utilization for these systems in commercial applications that include agriculture, energy, financial commodities and shipping industries would present significant opportunities for industry growth.

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Market Taxonomy

On the basis of product type, the global synthetic aperture radar (SAR) market is classified into:

• Space based SAR
• Air based SAR

On the basis of application, the global synthetic aperture radar (SAR) market is classified into:

• Aerospace & Defense
• Scientific Research
• Agriculture
• Energy
• Financial commodity markets
• Shipping and transportation

Defense based applications are expected to garner highest revenue margins over the forecast period

These find significant applications in aircrafts and satellites that prove instrumental in tracking missiles, rendering the images of the terrain and targets below the airborne vehicles. For instance, in July 2017, upgraded aircraft by the U.S. Air Force, the F-22 featured a SAR systems. According to Coherent Market Insights, global defense spending projected to increase at a CAGR of 3% over the forecast period is expected to present significant growth potential over the same period.

Space-based SAR is expected to continue to dominate the industry revenue through 2025

Space-based SAR segment employs operating frequencies or microwave illuminators that makes the sensor imaging unaffected by even in hostile weather conditions. Moreover, significant applications for research is expected to consistently fuel the overall industry demands.

U.S. dominated the synthetic aperture radar market share in 2016, is expected to continue its dominance over the forecast period

Collaboration of the US Department of Defense (DoD) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has led to significant increase in R&D activities for space-based SAR satellites. Moreover, the country contributes to over 40% of the global defense spending. These factors are expected to fuel the regional demands for the business growth. Growing defense budgets and research operations in the Asia Pacific that specifically include China, South Korea, India, and Japan are expected to provide significant growth opportunities.

Industry is characterized by the fragmented market presence of large players dominating the regional industry share. Requirement to strengthen their industry foothold, players are increasingly investing in product differentiation strategies and establishing partnerships with the large end users to garner increased usability in low cost operations. For instance, in June 2017, Pentagon announced its plans to capitalize on commercial opportunities through establishing ties with the firms in the U.S. Key participants in the synthetic aperture radar market include Airbus Defence and Space, Lockheed Martin, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Thales, Northrop Grumman, SSTL, MDA Information Systems, Raytheon and Sandia National Laboratories.

Global Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Market: Key Players

Key participants in the global synthetic aperture radar (SAR) market include Airbus Defense and Space, Lockheed Martin, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Thales, Northrop Grumman, SSTL, MDA Information Systems, Raytheon and Sandia National Laboratories among others.

 Global Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Market: Key Developments

• In August 2016, China announced the launch of new high-resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imaging satellite “Gaofen-3 satellite” in northern Shanxi province for weather forecasting.
• In August 2018, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL) designed and manufactured NovaSAR-1, a demonstration satellite with an S-Band SAR payload, which is developed by Airbus in Portsmouth, which is operated from SSTL’s Spacecraft Operations Center in Guildford, UK.
• In October 2018, the Argentina National Space Activities Commission (CONAE) announced a launch of its new Earth observation satellite “SAOCOM 1A” for effective Earth observation and disaster management. The SAOCOM 1A uses L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR).
• In December 2018, ICEYE, the global leader in small satellite synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology, announced a successful launch of ICEYE-X2 SAR Satellite Communications for radar imaging.
• In May 2019, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) announced a launch of its Radar Imaging Satellite, the RISAT-2BR1, from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, India. The RISAT, a remote sensing satellite, provide all-weather surveillance using synthetic aperture radars (SAR).
• In April 2019, Arianespace, one of the leading satellite launch company, have signed a contract with Synspective, Japanese startup company, to launch the satellite “StriX-α” SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) demonstrator satellite, into a Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) in 2020.