Airborne Satellite Communications (SATCOM) is an integrated solution that provides constant and dependable transmission of critical real-time information to en-route and out route to assist with the airborne mission. The airborne satellite communication terminals are intended for use on various aircraft. Systems with parabolic antennas are ideal for UAVs, while low-profile active-antenna solutions are optimized for larger mission aircraft. An airborne SATCOM system comprises numerous components, including a transmitter, a transceiver, a receiver, an antenna, an airborne radio, and modems and routers. The increasing number of aircraft, long-haul flights and passenger traffic, defense aircraft, high-speed satellites, and custom SATCOM solutions are driving the growth of the airborne SATCOM market.
Airbus SE; Thales Group; General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc.; Honeywell International Inc.; and L3Harris Technologies, Inc. – Prominent Market Participants in Airborne SATCOM Market
The global airborne SATCOM market is expanding rapidly and will continue to expand in the coming years as demand for new aircraft increases. This increase in demand for new aircraft can be linked to an increase in air passenger traffic and the replacement of aging aircraft, which will stimulate demand for airborne SATCOM systems. Commercial, government, and defense entities use airborne SATCOM to provide effective broadband communication services to high-speed aircraft. Airborne SATCOM systems are adaptable, meeting the operational and maintenance needs of various aircraft systems such as fixed-wing or rotary-wing aircraft. Airborne SATCOM systems can be deployed on various aerial vehicles, including mission aircraft, commercial airliners, business jets, and helicopters. Broadband communication through satellite is made feasible only by airborne SATCOM, which meets the mission and business-critical demands for audio, video, and high-speed data services on aerial platforms.
The airborne SATCOM market is segmented into five major regions—North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, MEA, and South America. In 2021, North America led the market with the largest market share, followed by Europe, APAC, South America, and MEA, respectively. Further, Europe is expected to record the fastest CAGR over the forecast period, followed by APAC, North America, MEA, and South America, respectively. In North America, the high focus on the aerospace & defense sector in developed countries such as the US and Canada is driving the growth of the airborne SATCOM market. Due to the rising number of commercial aircraft, the demand for airborne SATCOM for commercial and cargo aircraft is relatively high in this region. The US leads the airborne SATCOM market in North America. The region is also a hub for a few of the world’s largest aircraft & helicopter manufacturers—such as Boeing, Textron Corporation, Gulfstream, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Piper Aircraft Inc., Cirrus Design Corporation, Electric Aircraft Corporation, and Bombardier. Hence, the presence of such high-profile aircraft manufacturers and the increasing production of commercial aircraft due to high demands drive the airborne SATCOM market growth in North America
Airbus SE; Thales Group; General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc.; Honeywell International Inc.; and L3Harris Technologies, Inc. are some of the key market players operating in the global airborne SATCOM market. The listing of key players is derived by considering multiple factors such as overall revenue, current airborne SATCOM product portfolio, geographical reach, new product launches, market initiatives, and investment in technology up-gradation, partnerships, and other market-related activities. In addition to these players, there are several other important players operating in the global airborne SATCOM ecosystems which were studies analyzed during the course of this market research study, such as ASELSAN A.Ş., Cobham Limited, Viasat, Inc., Orbit Communications Systems Ltd., and many more. Most of the market initiatives were observed in the North America and Europe region, which has a high potential for market-related products, solutions, and services. A few of the important market initiatives from the industry are mentioned below:
| Year | Development | Region |
| 2022 | Thales announced its partnership with Airbus Perlan Mission II, an internationally acclaimed and world-record-setting climate and aerospace research project in order to fly Thales’ most recent mobile satellite communications system, FlytLink, in a zero-emission glider to an altitude greater than twice that of a commercial airline flight. | Europe |
| 2022 | General Dynamics Mission Systems announced that it has delivered the 1,000th Tri-band radome to Boeing for line-fit installation onto their commercial and military aircraft. These radomes provide physical protection of the aircraft’s antennas to enable reliable in-flight satellite communications (SATCOM) for passengers including Wi-Fi internet connectivity and live television. | North America |
