Global Aerostat Systems Market Research Report: by Product Type (Balloon, Airship and Hybrid), Class (Compact-Sized, Mid-Sized and Large-Sized), Payloads (Electro-Optic/Infrared Sensor (EO/IS), Communication Intelligence, Electronic Intelligence, Navigation Systems, Radar and Camera) and Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa and Latin America) - Forecast till 2024
ID: MRFR/A&D/0794-CR | September 2019 | Region: Global | 120 pages
Market Scenario
An aerostat is an aerodynamically shaped tethered balloon containing a lighter than air gases—such as helium, hydrogen, and hot air gases—that generate a bulk of the lifting force. Aero
stats are used extensively as an aerial platform for a number of scientific and commercial applications. They are used by military forces for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and also in civilian observation. Aerostats are ellipsoidal in shape, due to which they suffer from a large amount of horizontal displacement due to ambient winds. If the drag force acting on aerostat is high, its results in a higher horizontal displacement; a longer tether is required to retain the specified operating altitude, which reduces payload carrying capacity.
The operating cost associated with aerostat is lower than unmanned aerial systems; the latter ones are expensive and have low endurance. Furthermore, aerostat requires less crew for its operation and the requirement for maintenance is also low because it has fewer mechanical parts. The wide range of applications of aerostat systems leads to high demand for persistent ISR solutions; this, in turn, drives the market. The latest trend in the industry is HD thermal imaging—a new feature of these systems, which offers images, both during daytime and night, by eliminating the obstacles of terrains. Moreover, the joint developments of companies have led to the enhancement of aerostat systems.
The demand for aerostat systems has been increasing from the last few years due to its wide range of applications, cost-effectiveness, ease of deployment, low operational costs, and low personnel expertise. There is a high demand from military and homeland security for ISR applications, which has led to new investments. For example, Bravura Information Technology Systems, Inc. signed a USD 305.7 million contract with the US Army for maintenance and sustainment of their aerostats under the persistent surveillance systems—tethered (PSS-T) program. This contract integrates the capabilities of the persistent threat detection system (PTDS) and the persistent ground surveillance system (PGSS), which were fielded to support joint urgent operational needs. Moreover, Bravura had a partnership with Lockheed Martin Corporation and TCOM LP to help meet its efforts to support the US Army’s requirements.
Long endurance Aerostat systems have faced problems due to the unavailability of helium gas for refilling. In Afghanistan, one of the airships ran into a problem as it required helium gas, but DLA Energy (the supplier of helium) was unable to provide helium on time due to shortage. The manufacturing of large volumes of helium is a significantly longer process, and hence, it has become one of the major challenges.
The Global Aerostat Systems Market is estimated to register a CAGR of over 12.8% during the forecast period of 2019 to 2024.
Segmentation of the Global Aerostat Systems Market 
The aerostat systems market has been segmented based on product type, class, payloads, and region. Based on product type, the market has been segmented into balloon, airship, and hybrid. The balloon segment is the largest segment of the aerostat systems market. The segment is also expected to register a high CAGR during the forecast period. This is due to the high adoption of balloon aerostat systems by the military forces globally.
On the basis of class, the market has been segmented into compact-sized, mid-sized, and large-sized. The mid-sized segment is expected to register a high CAGR during the forecast period. This is due to the large payload carrying capacity and less requirement of lighter than air gases.
On the basis of payloads, the market has been segmented into an electro-optic/infrared sensor (EO/IS), communication intelligence, electronic intelligence, navigation systems, radar, and camera. The communication intelligence segment is expected to register a high CAGR during the forecast period. This is due to the increasing usage of aerostats for military tactical communications.
Based on the region, the market has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America. The largest military spender across the world—the US—invests in aerostat systems significantly for surveillance and border security. For instance, Drone Aviation received an order to enhance the aerostat systems from a prime contractor of defense in the US The main purpose is to enhance systems where new technologies, such as advanced optics, wireless electronics, infrared images, and communication package, are used. The US Army will provide intelligence systems to Afghanistan, which will enable the soldiers to hear enemy radio communication and detect enemy's location.
The growth in the market in Europe and the Middle East & Africa is majorly contributed by the countries in the Middle East due to increasing budgets and continuous need for safety. Gulf States, such as the UAE and Kuwait, have invested in aerostat systems to monitor borders and airspace. In 2014, a total of 353 aerostats was sold and by 2018, it is further expected to deliver 962 aerostats that will contribute to the growth in the market.
Key Players
The key players in the global Aerostat Systems market are Aero Drum Ltd (UK), Augur RosAeroSystems (Russia), DRONE Aviation Corp (US), ILC Dover, LP (US), Lindstrand Technologies Ltd (US), Raven Industries Inc. (US), Raytheon Company (US), RT LTA Systems Ltd (Israel), and TCOM LP (US).
Research Methodology
The market values and forecast are derived using the Market Research Future (MRFR) research methodology, which includes secondary research, primary interviews, data triangulation, and validation from an in-house data repository and statistical modeling tools.
- Secondary Research
In this process, data is collected from various secondary sources, including annual reports, SEC filings, journals, government associations, aerospace & defense magazines, white papers, corporate presentations, company websites, and paid databases.
- Primary Research
In this process, both the demand- and supply-side parties are interviewed to extract facts and insights into the market forecast, production, trends, and projected market growth. Industry stakeholders such as CEOs, VPs, directors, and marketing executives across the value chain are approached to obtain key information.
Key Insights
- Market Sizing, Forecast, and Analysis: Detailed coverage of the market segment and sub-segments
- Regional/Country Trends and Forecast: Detailed analysis of the market in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America, along with key countries in each region
- Market Dynamics Intelligence: Market drivers, opportunities, trends, restraints, Porter’s five forces, supply chain, and value chain analysis
- Technology Trends, Regulatory Landscape, and Patent Analysis Outlook
- Competitive Intelligence: Market share analysis, financial analysis, product benchmarking, and strategic developments including joint ventures, product launches, and mergers & acquisitions
- Regional attractiveness and related growth opportunities
Report Customization
MRFR offers report customization to valued customers. Below are the options available for customization:
- Company Profiles
In-depth profiling of additional market players (3 to 4 companies)
- Country-Level Analysis
Detailed analysis of a country-level market and related segments as per the report scope (subject to data availability)
Intended Audience
- Distributors & Suppliers
- End-Users
- Consultants and Investment Bankers
- Government as well as Independent Regulatory Authorities
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :
The global aerostat systems market is expected to acquire a significant market value during the review period from 2019-2024.
The global aerostat systems market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 12.8% during the review period from 2019-2024.
North America is anticipated to dominate the global market owing to the rising application and demand for advanced technologies like infrared technologies, wireless electronics, and communication package.
Lightning, visibility, and wind speed are likely to be significant factors which can impede the market during the review period.
Drone Aviation (U.S.), Aero Drum Ltd (U.K), Lockheed Martin Corporation (U.S.), and Lindstrand Technologies Limited (U.S.) are some renowned players in the global aerostat systems market.
