Market Insights
The airborne tactical radio market is likely to grow at a CAGR of 6.5% during 2022-2027 to reach USD 1.8 billion in 2027.

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Market Dynamics
Introduction
Airborne tactical radios enable safe and secure communication networks that support voice and data communications, therefore enabling an aircraft to communicate with other airborne, ground-based, and seaborne platforms. Depending on the operational requirements of an aircraft, airborne tactical radios will operate in the frequencies ranging from HF, VHF/UHF, and VHF/UHF with SATCOM.
Market Trends
Effective airborne communication has become one of the most powerful weapons in 21st-century warfare. For an open battlefield situation, coordinated response to a static or mobile threat would involve the ground personnel, marine forces, and military aircraft. Better communication and support among these military assets would result in safe and efficient results. This calls for increased focus on the development of airborne tactical radios.
Due to the increase in terrorism and cross-border threats, many countries are currently focused on strengthening the defense and offense systems of their airborne, ground-based, and naval forces. The defense authorities are also engaged in the development and deployment of proper communication networks between the different platforms to ensure battlefield supremacy. Thus, the deployment and usage of airborne tactical radios is rapidly gaining momentum in recent years.
Moreover, there have been several investments in the defense industry directed at airborne tactical radios in recent years, which would boost the overall market. Some of them are:
- In September 2021, Collins Aerospace (Raytheon Technologies Corporation) signed a three-year contract worth US$ 294.1 million, with the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), to provide 8,085 AN/ARC-210(v) radios that would be installed in more than 400 strategic and tactical airborne, seaborne, and land-based (mobile and fixed) platforms.
- In April 2021, Leonardo signed a contract with Boeing to provide its new software-defined radio, the SWave Airborne SDR SRT-800’ for the fleet of E-3A Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft. The advanced airborne radio will provide secure and cyber-resilient air-to-air and air-to-ground connectivity for the AWACS fleet.
- In June 2019, L3Harris Technologies, Inc. signed a contract with the US Air Force (USAF), to develop a prototype for the L3Harris Falcon Wideband Airborne HF Radio.
With the greater demand for enhanced air-to-ground interoperability, the quality of the radios has witnessed a colossal improvement over the years. The radios that are being installed in the fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft enable safe and reliable voice and data communications, which provide a better platform for the aircrew for their missions.
Market Drivers
The major factors driving the growth of the airborne tactical radio market are:
- Growing demand for air-ground radios across the globe to ensure unprecedented multi-platform interoperability.
Segment Analysis
Segmentations
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List of Sub-Segments
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Segments with High Growth Opportunity
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Device Type Analysis
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Air-Air Tactical Radio and Air-Ground/Ship Tactical Radio
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Air-ground radio is expected to remain the dominant as well as the fastest-growing device type in the market during the forecast period.
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Frequency Type Analysis
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HF, VHF/UHF, and VHF/UHF with SATCOM
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VHF/UHF type is the most commonly used frequency type for airborne tactical radios.
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Regional Analysis
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North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World
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North America is expected to remain the largest market for airborne tactical radios over the forecast period.
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By Device Type
The market is bifurcated into air-air radio and air-ground/ship radio. Air-ground radio is expected to remain the dominant as well as the fastest-growing device type in the market during the forecast period. As the demand for unprecedented air-ground interoperability is gaining momentum in recent years, there has been a progress in the sales of air-ground tactical radios to the defense authorities. These radios offer a smooth and effective channel for communication and also assist the aircrew during critical battlefield missions. As a result, the larger deployment of these radios by the military forces enables greater mission effectiveness, which also helps drive market growth.
By Frequency Type
The market is segmented as HF, VHF/UHF, and VHF/UHF with SATCOM. Among frequency types, VHF/UHF type is the most commonly used frequency type for airborne tactical radios. These radios are the most sought after by the armed forces as they provide better data throughputs as compared to the radios with other frequency types. Moreover, the VHF/UHF radios are suitable for long-range communication, due to which they are a popular choice in defense, particularly for air-ground communication.
Regional Insights
In terms of region, North America is expected to remain the largest market for airborne tactical radios over the forecast period. This is due to the sheer presence of the leading companies in the market such as Raytheon Technologies Corporation, L3Harris Technologies, Inc., Northrop Grumman, and BAE Systems, who are among the prime contractors for the US Department of Defense for airborne tactical radios. In addition, the US Air Force is the supreme air power and the US DoD is extensively investing in airborne communication to mark their dominance.
Asia-Pacific is likely to witness the fastest market growth in the coming years due to the growing penetration of regional companies such as Hytera Communications Corporation Limited, Rolta India Limited, and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), among others. Furthermore, the countries, such as China and India, have been increasing their annual military expenditure, which is comprehensively driving the regional market growth.

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Key Players
The global market for airborne tactical radios is competitive. In recent years, there have been some major mergers and acquisitions in the industry, which has significantly influenced the competitive dynamics. For example, in May 2020, BAE Systems completed the acquisition of the airborne tactical radios business division from Raytheon Technologies Corporation at US$ 275 million. As a result of this acquisition, BAE Systems is poised to become the market leader for airborne tactical radios. The following are the major players in the ground tactical radio market:
- BAE Systems
- Raytheon Technologies Corporation
- L3Harris Technologies, Inc.
- Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG
- Northrop Grumman
Note: The above list does not necessarily include all the top players in the market.
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Research Methodology
- This strategic assessment report, from Stratview Research, provides a comprehensive analysis that reflects today’s airborne tactical radio market realities and future market possibilities for the forecast period of 2022 to 2027.
- The report segments and analyzes the market in the most detailed manner in order to provide a panoramic view of the market.
- The vital data/information provided in the report can play a crucial role for the market participants as well as investors in the identification of the low-hanging fruits available in the market as well as to formulate the growth strategies to expedite their process.
- This report offers high-quality insights and is the outcome of a detailed research methodology comprising extensive secondary research, rigorous primary interviews with industry stakeholders, and validation and triangulation with Stratview Research’s internal database and statistical tools.
- More than 1,000 authenticated secondary sources, such as company annual reports, fact books, press releases, journals, investor presentations, white papers, patents, and articles, have been leveraged to gather the data.
- We conducted more than 15 detailed primary interviews with the market players across the value chain in all four regions and industry experts to obtain both qualitative and quantitative insights.
Report Features
This report provides market intelligence in the most comprehensive way. The report structure has been kept such that it offers maximum business value. It provides critical insights into market dynamics and will enable strategic decision-making for existing market players as well as those willing to enter the market. The following are the key features of the report:
- Market structure: Overview, industry life cycle analysis, supply chain analysis.
- Market environment analysis: Growth drivers and constraints, Porter’s five forces analysis, SWOT analysis.
- Market trend and forecast analysis.
- Market segment trend and forecast.
- Competitive landscape and dynamics: Market share, Service portfolio, New Product Launches, etc.
- COVID-19 impact and its recovery curve
- Attractive market segments and associated growth opportunities.
- Emerging trends.
- Strategic growth opportunities for the existing and new players.
- Key success factors.
Market Segmentation
This report studies the market, covering a period of 12 years of trend and forecast. The report provides detailed insights into the market dynamics to enable informed business decision-making and growth strategy formulation based on the opportunities present in the market.
The airborne tactical radio market is segmented into the following categories:
By Device Type
- Air-Air Radio
- Air-Ground/Ship Radio
By Frequency Type
- HF
- VHF/UHF
- VHF/UHF with SATCOM
By Region
- North America (Country Analysis: The USA, Canada, and Mexico)
- Europe (Country Analysis: Germany, France, The UK, Russia, and Rest of Europe)
- Asia-Pacific (Country Analysis: China, Japan, India, South Korea, and Rest of Asia-Pacific)
- Rest of the World (Country Analysis: Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Israel, and Others)

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Company Profiling
- Detailed profiling of additional market players (up to three players)
- SWOT analysis of key players (up to three players)
Competitive Benchmarking
- Benchmarking of key players on the following parameters: Product portfolio, geographical reach, regional presence, and strategic alliances
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