The unattended ground sensor market size is expected to grow from US$ 442.15 million in 2023 to US$ 661.69 million by 2031; it is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% from 2025 to 2031. Technological developments are likely to remain key unattended ground sensor market trends.
The unattended ground sensor market report emphasizes the key factors driving the market and prominent players' developments. The market has witnessed significant growth in recent years, driven by increasing government spending and technological advancements. The rising popularity of unattended ground sensors in a wide range of applications for creating accurate and precise data is among the factors contributing to the growing market size. Countries across the globe are implementing favorable regulations related to the adoption of unattended ground sensors, facilitating the expansion of the unattended ground sensor market share.
The growing deployment of unattended ground sensors for improving communication in critical military applications is expected to bring new unattended ground sensor market trends in the coming years. Additionally, advances in sensor technology encourage manufacturers to develop advanced unattended ground sensors, and the growing use of IoT-integrated unattended ground sensors in multiple applications is facilitating the expansion of the unattended ground sensor market share.
Unattended ground sensors (UGS) are devices that automatically collect sensor data on a remote target. These sensors are small in size and specifically designed for detecting and identifying activities on the ground, such as movement of enemy soldiers or vehicles. The sensors are usually placed in harsh or isolated locations where human presence may not be feasible or safe. Unattended ground sensors are highly used for monitoring and detection purposes in various applications such as critical infrastructure protection, border security, military operations, and environmental monitoring.
Unattended ground sensors can continuously conduct computationally extensive calculations, which is driving the market. Significant benefits offered by unattended ground sensors, such as cost-effectiveness, wireless monitoring, scalability, durability, and classification of movements on the ground, are fueling the unattended ground sensor market growth during the forecast period.
The rising number of terrorist attacks and insurgencies across the globe is driving the market during the forecast period. Unattended ground sensors are used to detect and monitor movements on the ground. These sensors support the defense sector to protect soldiers and provide surveillance in critical areas. A growing number of terrorist attacks across the globe is fueling the market. For instance, according to The Wilson Center report of June 2023, the US faced multiple terrorist attacks from numerous foreign terrorist organizations, such as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) and al Qaeda, in the year 2022.
Moreover, the expansion of terrorist networks increases the adoption of unattended group sensors for detecting the movement of terrorists on the ground, boosting the unattended ground sensor market growth during the forecast period. For instance, ISIS expanded its global network and operation in the Middle East and Africa regions. This also encourages the military and defense sector to increase their expenditure and spending towards the adoption of unattended group sensors for increasing border security, which is driving the market. For instance, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute report of April 2023, military expenditures increased by 3.7%, reaching US$ 2240 billion in 2022. The US, China, and Russia are among the top three largest nations, accounting for 56% of the world’s total spending. These countries are highly invested in the development of the military and defense sector to maintain the nation's security, which is fueling the unattended ground sensor market.
Military modernization refers to the usage of platforms, technologies, and weapon systems to upgrade and augment defense capabilities to keep the readiness of armed forces to meet the entire spectrum of security challenges. It is a continuous process based on threat perception, operational necessities, and technological changes. In such a scenario, various countries are launching military modernization programs for the Polish armed forces. For instance, in December 2023, a consortium was formed by Bertin Exensor AB and local partner Siltec SP. z.o.o. signed a contract with the Ministry of National Defence of the Republic of Poland for the supply of additional Flexnet UGS (Unattended Ground Sensor) systems to the Polish armed forces. The new contract signed in Poland calls for deliveries between 2024-2031 and is valued at approximately 40 MEUR.
Key segments that contributed to the derivation of the unattended ground sensor market analysis are the type, deployment, and end users.
The regional trends and factors influencing the Unattended Ground Sensor Market throughout the forecast period have been thoroughly explained by the analysts at Insight Partners. This section also discusses Unattended Ground Sensor Market segments and geography across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and South and Central America.
| Report Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Market size in 2024 | US$ 465.14 Million |
| Market Size by 2031 | US$ 661.69 Million |
| Global CAGR (2025 - 2031) | 5.2% |
| Historical Data | 2021-2023 |
| Forecast period | 2025-2031 |
| Segments Covered |
By Type
|
| Regions and Countries Covered | North America
|
| Market leaders and key company profiles |
The Unattended Ground Sensor Market market is growing rapidly, driven by increasing end-user demand due to factors such as evolving consumer preferences, technological advancements, and greater awareness of the product's benefits. As demand rises, businesses are expanding their offerings, innovating to meet consumer needs, and capitalizing on emerging trends, which further fuels market growth.
Market players density refers to the distribution of firms or companies operating within a particular market or industry. It indicates how many competitors (market players) are present in a given market space relative to its size or total market value.
Major Companies operating in the Unattended Ground Sensor Market are:
Disclaimer: The companies listed above are not ranked in any particular order.
The unattended ground sensor market is evaluated by gathering qualitative and quantitative data post primary and secondary research, which includes important corporate publications, association data, and databases. The following is a list of developments in the unattended ground sensor market:
(Source: Elbit Systems Ltd, Press Release)
(Source: Thales SA, Press Release)
The "Unattended Ground Sensor Market Size and Forecast (2021–2031)" provides a detailed analysis of the market covering the areas mentioned below:
The global unattended ground sensor market was estimated to be US$ 442.15 million in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% during 2023 - 2031.
The major factors driving the unattended ground sensor market are rising terrorism, increasing defense expenditure, and increasing demand for border trespassing detection systems.
Technological advancement is anticipated to play a significant role in the global unattended ground sensor market in the coming years.
Asia Pacific is expected to hold the highest market share in the unattended ground sensor market.
The key players holding majority shares in the global unattended ground sensor market are Northrop Grumman Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation, L3 Harris Corporation, Leonardo S.p.A, and Thales Group.