LONDON /PRNewswire/ -- Network-centric warfare enables the use of digitized operational assets to generate and leverage information supplied in the battlespace. In this context, land-based sensors are growing in significance as they provide sensor inputs to assemble a land common operating picture. Accordingly, the development of radar and sensor systems to provide network-friendly solutions is expected to fuel the growth of the European land-based intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, reconnaissance (ISTAR) markets.
Frost & Sullivan estimates the European land-based ISTAR markets to earn revenues of $920.5 million in the period 2006-2015.
"The market is dominated by weapons-locating radar (WLR) systems and unattended ground sensors (UGS), while the uptake of battlefield surveillance radar (BFSR) systems remain low due to limited upgrades," says a senior research analyst at Frost & Sullivan. "While acoustic weapons-locating (AWL) systems have a limited customer base, they are likely to be procured as a supporting device to WLR devices."
Although WLR systems are anticipated to continue dominating the market until 2011, a shift in importance toward remotely deployed, networked UGS systems will follow. Accordingly, these systems will find use as part of larger networks of sensors to provide persistent surveillance and weapons location. Further, these sensors will be miniature and remotely deployable, allowing for diverse delivery methods. Thus, UGS systems will gain a significant market share from 2012-2015 in terms of revenues, as well as unit uptake due to their small unit size, low cost, and the use of disposable sensor nodes.
However, the absence of a coherent and standard set of requirements to regulate the use of networked UGS systems is contributing to ambiguity in the implementation of guidelines. For instance, while networked sensors are used for weapons location, precise guidelines on the type of weapons, range of detection, and the manner in which the systems are to be deployed in the existing frameworks of WLR and BFSR do not exist.
"In order to overcome this hurdle, it will become essential to partner with the Ministry of Defense (MoD) to identify likely requirements and develop cost-effective solutions," says the analyst.
BFSR systems, used extensively due to their ability to track and classify targets as well as reduce false alarm rates, will exhibit a decline in uptake due to the growing significance of UGS systems. At the same time, BFSR systems are likely to see substantial investment in France and Germany and will contribute to overall market revenues.
In comparison to these systems, AWL systems do not offer the same capabilities in terms of range, precise battery location, and quick detection as equivalent radar systems and are likely to witness less demand. However, they will continue to see adoption as cueing devices for WLR systems as they can operate passively over a 360° sector for long periods of time without the risk of detection.
The increasing incidence of asymmetric situations in modern operations is leading to the growing importance of ground surveillance. Additionally, the NATO Response Force and the European Union's Battle Group initiatives have emerged in keeping with the commitments of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union to supply forces in civil emergencies, peacekeeping, and war-fighting missions.
As nations committed to these initiatives are forming baseline capabilities (including weapons-locating capabilities), the uptake of WLR and BFSR systems is expected to rise. Moreover, the anticipated formulation of NATO Land Group guidelines will directly influence the development of the UGS market.
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European land-based ISTAR Markets—ground radar and unmanned sensors—is part of the Aerospace and Defense Subscription, which also includes research in the following markets: BFSR, WLR, AWL systems, and UGS. This research service analyses key market drivers and restraints pertaining to each of the above and also provides strategic recommendations for the benefit of market participants. All research is evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants. Interviews are available to the press.
Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has been partnering with clients to support the development of innovative strategies for more than 40 years. The company's industry expertise integrates growth consulting, growth partnership services, and corporate management training to identify and develop opportunities. Frost & Sullivan serves an extensive clientele that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, and the investment community by providing comprehensive industry coverage that reflects a unique global perspective and combines ongoing analysis of markets, technologies, econometrics, and demographics. For more information, visit www.frost.com.