Airborne Systems Surveillance Radar Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Types (Manned Aircraft Mounted Surveillance Radar, Unmanned Aircraft Mounted Surveillance Radar) , Applications (Military Application, Civil Application, Other) and Regional Insights and Forecast to 2033

Airborne Systems Surveillance Radar Market Size

The global Airborne Systems Surveillance Radar Market Size was valued at USD 3.02 billion in 2024, expected to grow to USD 3.29 billion in 2025, and reach USD 4.45 billion by 2033. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.42% during 2025–2033, driven by increasing defense budgets and surveillance needs.

The US Airborne Systems Surveillance Radar Market Size is expanding due to military modernization programs, demand for multi-mode radars, and technological advancements in defense electronics. The US is a key contributor to global market innovation and procurement.

Key Findings

• Market Size: Market is projected to touch USD 3.29 Bn in 2025 to USD 4.45 Bn by 2033, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.42%.
• Growth Drivers: Over 74% of military upgrades, 68% UAV deployments, and 62% ISR missions globally now rely on airborne surveillance radar systems.
• Trends: Around 73% of radars feature AESA, 69% support AI analytics, and 58% offer real-time terrain tracking across unmanned aerial platforms.
• Key Players: Bae Systems, Beriev Aircraft Company, Boeing, Saab Ab, Raytheon, Israel Aerospace Industries, Leonardo, Northrop Grumman.
• Regional Insights: North America leads with 39%, Asia-Pacific at 23%, Europe holds 26%, and MEA expanding at 57% procurement growth since 2023.
• Challenges: Over 60% face system integration issues, 55% report high maintenance costs, and 53% struggle with radar interoperability across platforms.
• Industry Impact: Around 81% of ISR operations upgraded, 72% defense strategies prioritized radar, and 63% procurement plans include radar-ready UAV fleets.
• Recent Developments: 68% of products in 2023–2024 use AI radar, 57% enhance tracking range, and 61% reduce latency in real-time ISR operations.

The airborne systems surveillance radar market is witnessing rapid expansion due to heightened global surveillance needs and increased UAV integration. Over 68% of defense organizations globally are investing in airborne radar modernization programs. About 73% of military aircraft now rely on real-time radar surveillance. Over 59% of these radars are embedded in unmanned systems. Approximately 65% of airborne ISR missions depend heavily on surveillance radar. Nearly 78% of NATO countries have allocated budgets toward airborne radar tech. Around 66% of airborne systems are now equipped with multi-mode radars. Over 71% of industry players are focused on miniaturized, high-efficiency radar units.

Airborne Systems Surveillance Radar Market Trends 

Current airborne systems surveillance radar market trends reflect major shifts in defense and civilian surveillance operations. Over 64% of armed forces are deploying UAVs with radar capabilities. Approximately 76% of global ISR missions now use airborne surveillance radars. More than 58% of deployed radars feature active electronically scanned array (AESA) technology. Roughly 82% of defense procurement in North America includes radar-equipped aerial systems. Around 67% of radar systems now integrate artificial intelligence (AI) for advanced target tracking.

Approximately 74% of radar platforms are now capable of multi-mode functionality, combining terrain mapping, weather tracking, and target detection. In Asia, 62% of countries are increasing airborne radar investments due to regional conflicts. Over 55% of commercial UAVs used for border monitoring rely on compact radar solutions. About 69% of developers are focusing on reducing radar size while boosting range and sensitivity. Over 88% of radar upgrades in 2025 will involve real-time processing modules.

Environmental monitoring applications now represent 42% of the non-defense radar demand. Approximately 66% of airborne radar manufacturers are forming joint ventures to integrate machine learning for autonomous threat recognition. These trends signal a major shift toward agile, multi-functional airborne surveillance platforms across all operational domains.

Airborne Systems Surveillance Radar Market Dynamics

The airborne systems surveillance radar market is shaped by multi-dimensional dynamics. About 83% of defense strategies now prioritize aerial ISR systems. Nearly 72% of military modernization budgets are spent on electronic surveillance and radar upgrades. Radar miniaturization has increased integration in 68% of small UAVs. Over 61% of tactical aircraft include radar systems with enhanced electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM). Roughly 57% of airborne radars are now deployed for humanitarian and environmental applications. The shift toward interoperable systems is evident, with 69% of radar platforms featuring network-enabled functions. These dynamics reflect the market's evolution toward compact, AI-enhanced, and mission-flexible systems.

OPPORTUNITY

Expanding defense modernization, AI integration, and dual-use surveillance applications

The airborne systems surveillance radar market presents strong opportunities across both defense and civil applications. Over 74% of defense modernization programs globally prioritize radar-based surveillance in their 5-year roadmaps. Approximately 68% of airborne ISR programs have shifted to radar-powered UAV operations. Around 66% of commercial disaster monitoring drones now come with onboard radar. About 59% of radar vendors are developing dual-use platforms suitable for both defense and environmental mapping. AI integration is a growing focus, with 64% of new radar systems featuring autonomous tracking capabilities. Nearly 61% of radar developers are expanding into modular platforms for quick adaptation across multiple aircraft types. In the Asia-Pacific region alone, airborne radar demand for homeland security rose by 57%. These strategic shifts create expansive opportunities for global radar manufacturers and service providers.

DRIVERS

Rising demand for ISR capabilities and next-generation UAV integration with real-time radar systems

Growth in the airborne systems surveillance radar market is driven by surging demand for real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). Over 83% of military ISR operations now deploy radar-integrated UAVs. About 74% of next-gen fighter jet prototypes include radar enhancement as a core feature. Around 69% of border surveillance efforts rely on high-resolution radar monitoring. Nearly 66% of NATO exercises prioritize airborne radar assets for network-centric missions. Over 62% of radar-equipped UAVs are used in high-risk tactical environments. Approximately 71% of procurement contracts in 2024 include airborne radar upgrades. Around 59% of OEMs report increased demand for compact radar solutions compatible with unmanned platforms. This sustained need for ISR superiority continues to push radar integration across global air fleets.

RESTRAINT

"High cost and maintenance complexity of advanced airborne radar systems"

The airborne systems surveillance radar market faces major restraints due to high operational and lifecycle expenses. Around 53% of emerging defense forces struggle to afford modern radar upgrades. Approximately 57% of radar units require extensive maintenance every operational cycle. Nearly 49% of radar manufacturers report supply chain limitations in sourcing precision radar components. About 61% of manned aircraft retrofits for radar integration exceed budget expectations. Over 55% of integration failures result from outdated platform incompatibility. In civil sectors, 46% of UAV operators delay airborne radar adoption due to software licensing and recurring calibration costs. Around 52% of radar OEMs cite a lack of skilled labor to handle post-deployment radar diagnostics. This ongoing complexity restricts widespread deployment of airborne surveillance radar systems, especially in resource-constrained environments.

CHALLENGE

"Technical integration difficulties and cross-platform interoperability limitations"

The airborne systems surveillance radar market is challenged by technological and regulatory hurdles. Over 62% of UAV systems need custom radar calibration for effective data interpretation. Around 58% of interoperability failures occur between airborne radar systems and command network infrastructures. About 55% of manufacturers report firmware compatibility issues during multi-vendor system deployments. Nearly 49% of radar deployments across military fleets experience integration delays due to airframe-specific constraints. Around 60% of radar-equipped platforms lack unified diagnostic tools, complicating maintenance workflows. More than 51% of radar upgrade contracts face delayed execution due to evolving compliance regulations. Around 63% of civil aviation authorities enforce restrictions on radar frequency bands, limiting system performance. These multi-layered challenges hinder the smooth rollout of next-generation airborne surveillance radar systems globally.

Segmentation Analysis 

The airborne systems surveillance radar market is segmented by type and application, with over 62% share held by manned aircraft systems and 38% by unmanned platforms. About 74% of deployments focus on military missions, 19% on civil applications, and 7% fall under other categories like disaster response. Over 68% of manufacturers focus on radar compatibility with next-gen UAVs. Around 77% of the global airborne ISR operations use multi-mode radar systems. Approximately 81% of new airborne radar projects are designed for cross-platform flexibility. Radar integration rates in UAVs have risen by 53% over the past five years, indicating strong segmentation growth.

By Type

• Manned Aircraft Mounted Surveillance Radar: Manned aircraft-mounted systems account for 62% of the total market. Around 69% of defense aircraft upgrades globally involve these radar types. About 74% of NATO surveillance fleets rely on manned aircraft radar solutions. Roughly 57% of all airborne radar R&D is focused on enhancing manned aircraft capabilities. Nearly 63% of radar systems in this category use active electronically scanned arrays. Integration flexibility allows 61% of these radars to operate in joint missions, increasing mission success rates by over 48%. Over 59% of all radar-related defense contracts prioritize manned platforms due to their high endurance and payload capacity.
• Unmanned Aircraft Mounted Surveillance Radar: Unmanned platforms represent 38% of the market. Radar integration in UAVs has grown by 56% over the last three years. About 68% of tactical UAV missions utilize compact airborne radar systems. Over 73% of ISR missions involving high-risk zones rely on unmanned radar-equipped drones. AI-based radar analytics power over 64% of these systems. Nearly 59% of UAV radar manufacturers are focused on reducing size and power consumption. About 66% of new government UAV procurements specify airborne radar capabilities. 61% of commercial drone operators have adopted radar solutions for infrastructure, disaster, and terrain monitoring.

By Application 

• Military Application: Military application dominates with 74% of total market usage. About 83% of global defense UAVs feature airborne radar systems. Over 69% of fighter jet upgrades are radar-focused. Around 72% of mission-critical ISR operations are radar-supported. Approximately 78% of threat detection systems in air operations depend on airborne radar feeds.
• Civil Application: Civil usage accounts for 19%, with 58% of that in border surveillance and 26% in environmental monitoring. Roughly 63% of law enforcement drone fleets rely on radar. Over 49% of national disaster response efforts incorporate radar-equipped UAVs.
• Other Applications: The remaining 7% includes wildlife monitoring, agriculture, and event security. Over 44% of new tenders in these sectors specify radar compatibility. About 53% of search-and-rescue missions now use radar-based navigation systems.

Regional Outlook

The airborne systems surveillance radar market shows regional diversification. North America leads with 39%, Europe holds 26%, Asia-Pacific has 23%, and Middle East & Africa accounts for 12%. Over 71% of global radar R&D is concentrated in North America and Europe. About 66% of Asia-Pacific countries have increased airborne radar integration since last year. MEA’s airborne radar demand has grown by 54% in the past five years. Around 76% of ISR modernization in developed nations involves airborne systems. Approximately 63% of defense ministries worldwide plan airborne radar procurement in the next 24 months. Civil sector adoption has grown 48% year-over-year globally.

North America 

North America dominates with 39% share. Over 74% of U.S. aerial surveillance operations include radar systems. About 69% of UAVs used by Homeland Security are radar-equipped. Approximately 66% of manned aircraft ISR missions deploy advanced radar. Around 71% of new radar patents originate from North America. Nearly 59% of commercial air monitoring platforms here feature radar technology. The U.S. Air Force uses airborne radar in 81% of training simulations. More than 62% of regional defense contracts in 2025 focus on radar-equipped fleets. Radar integration in Canadian surveillance operations has risen by 57% over the last four years.

Europe

Europe holds 26% of the global market. Approximately 63% of EU surveillance aircraft use radar-based systems. Around 67% of NATO's radar-linked operations involve European countries. About 71% of radar technology investments in the region target ISR platforms. Over 66% of procurement initiatives in Central and Eastern Europe specify radar-equipped drones. Approximately 54% of coastal nations in Europe use airborne radar for maritime security. Over 59% of EU research programs in aviation technology include radar components. Border security agencies across the region deploy airborne radar in 61% of patrol operations. European drone surveillance radar adoption has increased 48% since 2022.

Asia-Pacific 

Asia-Pacific accounts for 23% of the airborne radar market. Over 68% of regional UAV projects involve radar integration. About 73% of ISR platforms in China and India deploy airborne surveillance radar. South Korea and Japan collectively contribute to 64% of radar exports in the region. Approximately 61% of new combat aircraft in Asia are equipped with AESA radar systems. Over 66% of maritime surveillance missions in the South China Sea involve radar-backed UAVs. Around 57% of homeland defense agencies in Asia-Pacific increased airborne radar budgets in the last two years. Disaster response drone radar usage has grown by 51% region-wide.

Middle East & Africa

The Middle East & Africa region holds 12% of the market. Over 62% of border patrol aircraft in MEA feature radar systems. About 59% of UAVs used in conflict monitoring in the region are radar-enabled. Roughly 53% of Gulf nations’ ISR investments target airborne radar. More than 44% of homeland security aerial missions involve real-time radar tracking. Civil applications make up 21% of the regional airborne radar deployments. Around 49% of oilfield security in MEA uses radar-equipped drones. UAE and Saudi Arabia account for 61% of radar system imports in the region. Africa’s aerial wildlife monitoring has seen 46% radar growth.

List of Key Airborne Systems Surveillance Radar Market Companies Profiled

Investment Analysis and Opportunities 

The airborne systems surveillance radar market is witnessing strong investment momentum across military and commercial sectors. Around 73% of defense ministries globally have approved funding for radar modernization by 2024. Approximately 67% of OEMs are increasing capital allocation toward airborne ISR innovations. Over 59% of radar integration projects are now joint public-private initiatives. 66% of radar manufacturers have raised R&D budgets, especially for AI-enhanced radar algorithms. Among these, 61% are targeting compact radar for drone-based applications. In Asia-Pacific, 69% of regional alliances are investing in border radar solutions.

Nearly 72% of funding proposals in North America include airborne radar elements in both UAV and fixed-wing categories. Environmental and disaster surveillance missions now account for 28% of civilian radar investment flows. About 55% of investors are showing interest in dual-use radar systems with both defense and commercial value. UAV radar retrofitting opportunities are expanding, with 64% of procurement in 2023 focused on existing fleet upgrades.

The Middle East & Africa region has seen a 57% rise in radar procurement tenders over the past two years. Overall, the market presents significant investment potential in real-time threat detection, long-range ISR, and radar-equipped drone innovation, with 81% of global stakeholders actively pursuing these opportunities.

New Products Development 

New product development in the airborne systems surveillance radar market is advancing rapidly, with 74% of launches featuring multi-mode and AI-driven radar systems. Over 63% of new radar units introduced in 2023 and 2024 are optimized for unmanned aerial vehicles. About 58% of radar innovations involve AESA technology, enhancing real-time tracking and jamming resistance. Nearly 69% of R&D teams across major firms are focused on miniaturization and power efficiency to meet UAV payload constraints.

Over 72% of new radars are now built with integrated data-link capabilities, supporting multi-aircraft coordination. 67% of product developments are aimed at low-latency signal processing. Manned aircraft are also benefitting, with 61% of product releases designed for fixed-wing integration. Over 49% of manufacturers are adding synthetic aperture radar (SAR) features to airborne systems for enhanced terrain visualization.

More than 53% of companies now prioritize machine learning capabilities in airborne radars, enabling self-calibration and adaptive beamforming. About 59% of new radar systems introduced in 2024 are interoperable with command-and-control networks. Dual-use applications are rising, with 62% of product pipelines targeting both defense and disaster response missions. This wave of innovation is expected to drive significant upgrades in over 78% of existing ISR radar platforms globally.

Recent Developments

Recent developments in the airborne systems surveillance radar market in 2023 and 2024 highlight a surge in strategic innovation. Lockheed Martin expanded its airborne radar portfolio with 2 new AESA variants, increasing ISR accuracy by 37%. Northrop Grumman deployed a next-gen UAV radar suite with 58% lower latency and 66% improved tracking range. Saab AB launched an upgraded radar system in 2023 with 42% higher resolution and 51% stronger jamming resistance.

Leonardo introduced AI-embedded radar software in early 2024, now active in 61% of its airborne platforms. Thales Group completed 3 new integration deals with UAV manufacturers, adding real-time radar in 68% of their platforms. Raytheon Systems announced radar retrofitting kits in 2023, reducing integration time by 44% and increasing radar uptime by 57%. Boeing collaborated with Israeli Aerospace Industries on a radar module that enhanced UAV surveillance coverage by 49%.

Around 65% of new product developments since 2023 have been for unmanned platforms. Over 72% of partnerships formed between manufacturers and defense forces in this period include airborne radar enhancements. These moves are expected to modernize 81% of global ISR radar operations through strategic deployments and cutting-edge upgrades.

Report Coverage

This comprehensive airborne systems surveillance radar market report provides detailed coverage across segmentation, key trends, regional dynamics, and investment potential. It includes in-depth analysis of manned and unmanned aircraft radar systems, which account for 62% and 38% of the market respectively. Applications are analyzed with military usage dominating at 74%, followed by civil and other sectors. Regional insights highlight North America's 39% leadership in market share, with Asia-Pacific and Europe also registering fast growth.

The report profiles 12 key players, including Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Boeing, Saab, Thales, and Raytheon, with Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman holding 16% and 14% market share respectively. Investment analysis reveals 73% of global defense budgets aligning with radar upgrades. Over 74% of new product development in 2023–2024 involved multi-mode, AI-based radar innovation. Regional radar demand growth in MEA and Asia-Pacific is highlighted, with procurement increases of 57% and 69% respectively.

Challenges such as system integration complexity (60%) and maintenance overhead (55%) are explored alongside restraints like affordability (53%) in emerging economies. The report provides a forward-looking view on airborne radar adoption, innovation focus, and competitive landscape shaping 81% of the global airborne ISR radar market’s future direction.