“The Aerospace and Defense Optical Fiber Cable Market was estimated at US$ 1.2 billion in 2023 and is likely to grow at a CAGR of 2.5% in the long run to reach US$ 1.6 billion by 2034.”
Market Dynamics
Introduction
Optical fiber technology pertains to data transmission via light pulses that propagate along an extended filament, typically composed of either plastic or glass. Optical fibers are also unaffected by electromagnetic interference.
Advancements in optical fiber cable technology are significantly influencing the aerospace & defense industry, propelled by cutting-edge innovations in materials and fabrication techniques. Enhanced manufacturing processes are not only reducing costs but also improving critical performance attributes such as data transmission rate and signal fidelity.
Optical fibers are increasingly preferred for their superior communication capabilities compared to traditional copper cables owing to their high speed and reliability. The aerospace & defense industry is particularly focused on developing compact, lightweight, and highly durable optical fiber solutions to satisfy demands for efficiency and resilience.
Researchers are exploring the creation of ruggedized cables with sophisticated coatings to withstand extreme operational environments as the necessity for secure, high-bandwidth communication escalates, these technological advancements are set to elevate performance standards and ensure robust reliability in aerospace & defense applications.
Market Drivers:
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Increasing Worldwide Military Spending: Growing military expenditure significantly boosts military procurement, technological advancements, and expansion of defense programs.
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Escalating Geopolitical Tensions: Geopolitical tensions that appeared to ease during the pandemic have the potential to resurface. In 2022 the index peaked to unprecedented levels, reaching its zenith in March due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
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Burgeoning Aircraft Fleet Forecasts: The burgeoning aircraft fleets highlight escalating global aviation demands and strategic investments in modernizing and expanding air transport assets.
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Rising Demand for Earth Observation (EO) and Communication Services: The global satellite-based earth observation market has witnessed substantial proliferation, fueled by escalating demand for advanced big data analytics to derive precise insights from data innovations in Earth observation satellite technologies and a pronounced need for high-resolution imaging services.
Market Challenges
Stringent regulatory mandates and compliance requisites can create hurdles in product development and market entry, necessitating rigorous testing and certification protocols. The integration of optical fiber technology with pre-existing systems poses formidable technical challenges, demanding specialized acumen and sophisticated equipment. Optical fiber cables, particularly those with glass cores, are inherently fragile and prone to breakage during installation and maintenance, leading to escalated costs and prolonged operational downtime.
Segments Analysis
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Segmentations
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List of Sub-Segments
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Dominant and Fastest-Growing Segments
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End-Use Analysis
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Commercial, Military, and Space
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The military is estimated to have the lion’s share of the market. Commercial use can observe the fastest surge.
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Application Type Analysis
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Flight Management Systems, In-Flight Entertainment Systems, Communication Systems, Radar Systems, Electronic Warfare. And Others
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The communication systems are anticipated to be the most dominant and In-flight entertainment systems to be the fastest growing, among all the applications.
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Cable Type Analysis
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Single-Mode and Multi-Mode
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Single-mode cables are expected to be the most dominant cable, over the years.
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Material Type Analysis
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Glass and Plastic
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Glass-made optical fiber cables are estimated to be the most dominant and plastic-made optical fiber cables are estimated to enjoy faster growth.
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Regional Analysis
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North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and The Rest of the World
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North America is the most dominant, whereas the Asia-Pacific market is expected to grow at the fastest rate.
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By End-Use Type
“Military is forecasted to emerge as the foremost and Commercial is the most rapidly expanding category of the market during the forecast period.”
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Military cables necessitate superior durability and robustness for secure transmissions under extreme conditions. Commercial variants emphasize lightweight, flexibility, and bend resistance for streamlined installation. Space applications demand optical fiber cables with exceptional electromagnetic interference attenuation and unyielding reliability, constrained by stringent weight limits.
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It features strong tensile strength, strong pressure resistance, and good flexibility characteristics. Military-grade Armored Optical Fiber Cable is constructed of SUS spring tube, Kevlar, braiding, and TPU outer jacket.
By Application Type
“The communication systems are anticipated to demonstrate the most rapid growth during the forecast period driven by increasing demand in the aerospace and defense industry.”
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Communication systems utilize fiber optics to establish resilient, high-speed networks vital for contemporary warfare, facilitating real-time data exchange, command control, and intelligence operations.
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Data, voice, and video signals traverse over Optical Fiber Cables in military and aerospace communication systems, encompassing command centers, vessels, aircraft, and ground vehicles.
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Communication systems require exceptional tactical-grade equipment. Compatible communication protocols are used to share information securely between allies.
By Cable Type
“Single-mode cables are expected to be the dominant cable as far as cable type analysis is concerned as they have higher bandwidth capability than multi-mode cables due to no modal dispersion effects.”
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Single-mode fibers are better suited for long-distance applications due to their high bandwidth capability
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Multi-mode fibers tend to have higher attenuation than single-mode fibers since the intrinsic loss of the multimode fiber is higher
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Low interference and higher bandwidth tend to provide more efficient and secure communication.
By Material Type
“Glass is poised to maintain its leading position in the aerospace and defense optical fiber cable market, whereas the plastic segment is growing at a faster rate due to their low cost and less complex manufacturing process.”
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Glass optical fiber cables are designed for transmitting data at very high speeds with minimal loss. They can support immense bandwidth, which is crucial as data demand continues to escalate.
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Glass optical fiber cables excel at performing under a wide range of temperatures. This makes them suitable for use in harsh environments and various challenging applications in the aerospace & defense industry.
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Plastic optical fiber cables are experiencing robust expansion with a healthy CAGR due to their enhanced flexibility and resilience.
Regional Analysis
“North America is forecasted to exhibit its unassailable lead while, Asia-Pacific is likely to exhibit a most accelerated expansion of the market for aerospace and defense optical fiber cable in the mentioned period.”
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North America stands at the forefront of innovation and technological advancements in the optical fiber industry. Intense competitive dynamics and extensive research and development activities in this domain contribute to the region's dominance on the global stage.
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The USA, with the largest defense budget globally, sees its dominance in the industry largely driven by the presence of premier fighter jet manufacturers such as Lockheed Martin and Boeing. With leading contenders such as Corning, OFL Fitel LLC, Amphenol, Coherent, and Optical Cable Corporation this region significantly contributes to the global production of optical fiber cables.
Key Players
The leading players in the industry contend with several critical factors including pricing strategies, service portfolios, regional presence, and other governing parameters. It would be fair to say that the market is moderately consolidated with major players holding a significant share of the market. These big players often engage in merger and acquisition activities as a key strategy to enhance their portfolios and regional presence.
The following are the key players in the aerospace and defense optical fiber cable market (based on dominance).
- Corning Incorporated
- OFS Fitel LLC
- Prysmian Group
- Coherent Corporation
- Sumitomo Electric
- Amphenol Corporation
- W.L. Gore & Associates
- Radiall Corporation
- Collins Aerospace
- Optical Cable Corporation (OCC)
Note: The above list does not necessarily include all the top players in the market.
Are you the leading player in this market? We would love to include your name. Write to us at sales@stratviewresearch.com
Report Features
This report provides market intelligence most comprehensively. The report structure has been kept such that it offers maximum business value. It provides critical insights into the market dynamics and will enable strategic decision-making for the existing market players as well as those willing to enter the market.
What Deliverables Will You Get in this Report?
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Key questions this report answers
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Relevant contents in the report
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How big is the sales opportunity?
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In-depth analysis of the Aerospace and Defense Optical Fiber Cable Market
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How lucrative is the future?
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The market forecast and trend data and emerging trends
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Which regions offer the best sales opportunities?
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Global, regional, and country-level historical data and forecasts
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Which are the most attractive market segments?
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Market Segment Analysis and Forecast
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Who are the top players and their market positioning?
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Competitive landscape analysis, Market share analysis
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How complex is the business environment?
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Porter’s five forces analysis, PEST analysis, Life cycle analysis
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What are the factors affecting the market?
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Drivers & challenges
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Will I get the information on my specific requirements?
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10% free customization
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Research Methodology
This strategic assessment report from Stratview Research provides a comprehensive analysis that reflects today’s aerospace and defense optical fiber cable market realities and future market possibilities for the forecast period. The report segments and analyses the market in the most detailed manner to provide a panoramic view of the market.
The vital data/information provided in the report can play a crucial role for market participants as well as investors in the identification of the low-hanging fruits available in the market as well as to formulate growth strategies to expedite their growth 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 market players across the value chain in all four regions and industry experts to obtain both qualitative and quantitative insights.
Customization Options
With this detailed report, Stratview Research offers one of the following free customization options to our respectable clients:
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: Service portfolio, geographical reach, regional presence, and strategic alliances
Custom Research: Stratview Research offers custom research services across aerospace. In case of any custom research requirement related to market assessment, competitive benchmarking, sourcing and procurement, target screening, and others, please send your inquiry to sales@stratviewresearch.com
Recent Market News
The aerospace & defense optical fiber cable market has experienced a series of mergers and acquisitions in recent years as companies endeavor to broaden their market footprint and capitalize on synergies to enhance their product portfolio and financial performance. Some M&A and JVs are:
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Amphenol Corporation had successfully concluded the acquisition of Carlisle Interconnect Technologies. This strategic move announced in 2024, encompasses a comprehensive portfolio of commercial, air, defense, industrial interconnect solutions, global manufacturing infrastructure, and a highly esteemed workforce.
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Prysmian’s acquisition of Encore Wire for US$ 4.2 billion boosts its market position by enhancing exposure to growth drivers, expanding its North American presence, and leveraging global operational efficiencies.
Recent Product Development:
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OFS Fitel LLC introduces LaserWave R-PackTM and AccuRiserTM rollable ribbon cables as an improved alternative against Active Optical Cables (AOCs) and flat ribbon cables to accommodate the density requirements of AI-driven applications.
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Prysmian Group has announced its new “green certified” ECO CABLE portfolio at FTTH Conference 2023 in Madrid, Spain.
