Radome Market Size, Share, Growth, And Industry Analysis by Type (Shell Structure, Spherical Structure & Others) by Application (Airborne Radome, Ground-Based Radome, Shipboard Radome), Regional Forecast To 2033

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RADOME MARKET OVERVIEW

The global radome market stood at USD 1.68 billion in 2024 and is expected to rise to USD 1.83 billion in 2025, maintaining a strong growth trajectory to reach USD 3.57 billion by 2033, with a CAGR of 8.7% from 2025 to 2033.

A radome is a structure that protects and encloses a radar antenna system while allowing the transmission and reception of electromagnetic waves. It is typically made of a lightweight and durable material such as fiberglass or composite materials and is often designed to be aerodynamically shaped to minimize its effect on the performance of the aircraft or other vehicles that it is mounted on. The primary function of a radome is to provide protection to the sensitive radar equipment inside it. This equipment is used for various applications, such as weather monitoring, air traffic control, military surveillance, and navigation. The radome is designed to be transparent to the electromagnetic waves that are transmitted and received by the radar equipment. This ensures that the performance of the radar is not affected by any external factors, such as weather conditions or debris that may come into contact with the radome.

The market for radomes is growing due to the increasing demand for radar systems in various industries. The aerospace and defense industries are major consumers of radomes, as they require radar systems for a wide range of applications, including military surveillance, air traffic control, weather monitoring, and navigation. With the growing need for surveillance and defense in many countries, the demand for radomes is expected to continue to increase. Furthermore, the development of new technologies, such as phased array radars, is also driving the demand for radomes. Phased array radars offer improved accuracy and faster data processing, making them highly attractive for military and aerospace applications. These radars require a protective enclosure that is both lightweight and highly transparent, making radomes an ideal solution. Overall, the growing demand for radar systems in various industries, as well as the development of new technologies, are contributing to the growth of the radome market size. With the increasing need for surveillance, navigation, and defense, the demand for radomes is expected to continue to rise in the coming years.

COVID-19 IMPACT

 Pandemic Has Disrupted Global Supply Chains And Led To A Decrease In Demand For New Aircraft And Other Vehicles That Use Radar Systems

The supply chain disruptions caused by COVID-19 have led to a shortage of raw materials and components required for the manufacturing of radomes, which has caused delays in production and increased costs for manufacturers. Travel restrictions and lockdowns have also led to delays in the delivery of radomes to customers, further impacting the market. Furthermore, the pandemic has led to a decline in the aerospace industry, as airlines have been forced to cut back on flights and reduce their fleets. This has resulted in reduced demand for new aircraft and radar systems, including radome. Similarly, the marine and automotive industries have also been affected, with reduced demand for radomes used in these industries. 

However, despite the short-term negative impact of the pandemic on the radome market, there is optimism for a rebound in the long term. As the global economy recovers, the demand for new aircraft and other vehicles that use radar systems is expected to increase, driving demand for radomes. Additionally, the need for advanced radar systems for military and defense applications is expected to continue to grow, further driving demand for radomes in the coming years. Overall, the impact of COVID-19 on the radome market has been negative in the short term, but the long-term outlook remains positive as the global economy recovers and demand for radar systems increases.

LATEST TRENDS

The Creation Of Improved Materials For Radome Construction Is One Of The Primary Trend

In recent years, the radome market has seen several trends and new product launches that are shaping the industry. One of the major trends is the development of advanced materials for radome construction. Manufacturers are exploring the use of new materials such as carbon fiber composites, which offer improved durability and resistance to extreme temperatures and harsh weather conditions. Another trend is the increasing adoption of 3D printing technology in radome manufacturing. 3D printing allows manufacturers to produce complex shapes and designs quickly and at lower costs, making it an attractive option for low-volume production runs and custom designs. In addition, the development of new radar technologies, such as active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars, is driving the demand for radomes that can protect and enclose these advanced radar systems. These radomes must be highly transparent and have minimal signal loss to ensure that the radar operates efficiently.

Leading players in the radome market are investing heavily in research and development to improve the performance and durability of radomes. They are also expanding their product offerings to meet the growing demand for radomes in various industries. For example, companies are developing radomes for small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and other unmanned systems, which are becoming increasingly popular for surveillance and other applications. Furthermore, companies are also exploring the use of radomes for satellite communication systems. Radomes can be used to protect the sensitive equipment used for satellite communication, improving the reliability and efficiency of these systems.

• According to Defense.gov contract notices, the U.S. Navy procured 1 wide-band satellite communications radome A-kit in August 2023 and 12 P-8A nose-radome retrofit kits in February 2023, under two separate orders totaling 13 radome kits.

• According to ICAO, the global commercial aircraft fleet grew from 25,777 active aircraft in 2021 to 29,039 in 2023, driving unprecedented demand for radome replacements and upgrades on aging airframes.

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RADOME MARKET SEGMENTATION

By Type Analysis

Depending on radome given are types: Shell Structure, Spherical Structure & Others. The Shell Structure type will capture the maximum market share through forecast period.

By Application Analysis

The market is divided in Airborne Radome, Ground-Based Radome, Shipboard Radome based on application. The global radome market  players in cover segment like Airborne Radome will dominate the market share during forecast period

DRIVING FACTORS

The Rising Desire For Better Communication And Connection Is One Of The Reasons Fueling The Demand For Radomes In The Industry

The demand for high-speed and reliable data communication is growing rapidly in many industries, including aerospace, defense, marine, and automotive. Radomes play a crucial role in protecting the sensitive communication equipment used in these industries from harsh environmental conditions and physical damage. In the aerospace industry, for instance, radomes are used to protect the weather radar, navigation systems, and communication equipment on commercial and military aircraft. They ensure that the signals transmitted and received by the equipment are not degraded or affected by external factors such as wind, rain, or extreme temperatures. Similarly, in the defense industry, radomes are used to protect radar systems that are critical for surveillance, reconnaissance, and missile defense. Radomes ensure that the radar systems operate efficiently and provide accurate information, enabling the defense forces to detect and respond to threats quickly.

In the marine industry, radomes are used to protect navigation and communication equipment on ships, yachts, and other vessels. They ensure that the equipment operates efficiently in harsh weather conditions, such as strong winds, heavy rain, and saltwater corrosion. In the automotive industry, radomes are used to protect communication and collision avoidance systems, improving the safety and reliability of vehicles. Overall, the increasing need for enhanced communication and connectivity in various industries is driving the radome market growth. Radomes ensure that communication and navigation equipment operate efficiently and accurately, enabling the industries to function effectively in harsh environmental conditions.

The Growing Use Of Unmanned Systems And Drones In Various Sectors Is Another Factor Raising Demand For Radomes In The Market

Another driving factor that is boosting the radome market growth is the increasing adoption of unmanned systems and drones in various industries. The use of unmanned systems and drones is growing rapidly in industries such as defense, aerospace, agriculture, and construction, among others. These unmanned systems and drones require radar and communication systems that need to be protected by radomes. Radomes protect the sensitive radar and communication equipment on unmanned systems and drones from physical damage, environmental factors, and electromagnetic interference. They ensure that the radar and communication systems operate efficiently and provide accurate data, enabling the unmanned systems and drones to carry out their functions effectively.

In the defense industry, for instance, radomes are used to protect the radar systems on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that are used for surveillance, reconnaissance, and combat operations. Radomes ensure that the radar systems operate efficiently, enabling the defense forces to detect and respond to threats quickly and accurately. Overall, the increasing adoption of unmanned systems and drones in various industries is driving the demand for radomes. Radomes protect the sensitive radar and communication equipment on these unmanned systems and drones, ensuring that they operate efficiently and provide accurate data, enabling industries to carry out their functions more efficiently and effectively.

• According to ICAO, manufacturers delivered 1,263 new commercial aircraft in 2023—the highest annual total since 2018—prompting radome OEMs to scale up production capacity by over 20% year-on-year.

• According to the U.S. Missile Defense Agency’s FY 2025 budget justification, $150 million was allocated in FY 2024 for radome fabrication and replacement (e.g., SBX radar), sustaining high R&D and procurement activity in missile-defense radome systems.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

The High Cost Of Materials And Production Is One Issue Limiting The Growth Of The Radome Industry

One of the restraining factors affecting the market growth for radomes is the high cost of materials and manufacturing. Radomes require specialized materials that are lightweight, yet strong enough to withstand harsh environmental conditions and physical impact. These materials can be expensive, and their cost can significantly increase the overall cost of the radome. Manufacturing radomes is also a complex and time-consuming process that requires specialized equipment and skilled labor. The manufacturing process involves molding, curing, and finishing the radome, which can take several days or even weeks to complete. This increases the overall cost of production and can affect the profit margins of manufacturers. As a result, the high cost of materials and manufacturing can make radomes expensive, limiting their adoption in industries where cost is a significant consideration. This can affect the demand and slow down the radome market growth.

• According to Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) surveys, the average lead time for aerospace-grade composite materials extended to 14 weeks in 2023—up from 10 weeks in 2021—due to lingering supply-chain disruptions.

• According to the American Composites Manufacturers Association, the price of aerospace-grade composite resin rose by 12% in 2023, reaching an average of $7.50 per kg—pressuring radome manufacturers’ material budgets.

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RADOME MARKET REGIONAL INSIGHTS

North America Is Expected To Continue To Grow At A Significant Rate In The Coming Years, Driven By The Demand From Defense, Aerospace, And Telecommunication Industries

The leading region in the radome market is North America. The region is home to several leading players in the radome market and has a strong presence in the defense and aerospace industries. The United States is the largest market for radomes in the region and is expected to continue to drive the market growth in the coming years. The defense industry in North America is a significant contributor to the growth of the radome market share, with several defense programs and projects requiring radomes to protect radar and communication equipment. The increasing adoption of unmanned systems and drones in the defense industry is also driving the demand for radomes. Apart from defense, the aerospace industry in North America is also a significant contributor to the growth of the radome market. Radomes are used in commercial and business aircraft to protect radar systems and ensure efficient operation. In addition, the increasing adoption of 5G technology in North America is expected to drive the demand for radomes in the telecommunication industry. Radomes protect the sensitive equipment used in 5G networks, enabling the telecommunication industry to provide high-speed and reliable connectivity to its customers.

The second-leading region in the radome market is Asia Pacific. The region is expected to witness significant growth in the coming years, driven by the increasing adoption of radomes in the defense and aerospace industries, as well as the growing demand for radomes in the telecommunication industry. Countries like China, India, Japan, and South Korea are major contributors to the growth of the radome market in Asia Pacific. These countries have well-established defense and aerospace industries, which are driving the demand for radomes. The increasing military expenditure and modernization programs in these countries are further fueling the demand for radomes to protect the advanced radar and communication equipment used in defense applications. In addition, the region is witnessing a surge in demand for commercial and business aircraft, which is driving the demand for radomes in the aerospace industry. The increasing air traffic in countries like China and India is also expected to drive the growth of the radome market share in the region. Moreover, the telecommunication industry in Asia Pacific is witnessing rapid growth, driven by the increasing adoption of smartphones and the demand for high-speed internet connectivity. The deployment of 5G technology in the region is further driving the demand for radomes to protect the sensitive equipment used in 5G networks.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Key Players Focus on Partnerships to Gain a Competitive Advantage

Prominent market players are making collaborative efforts by partnering with other companies to stay ahead of the competition. Many companies are also investing in new product launches to expand their product portfolio. Mergers and acquisitions are also among the key strategies used by players to expand their product portfolios.

• Harris: According to Defense.gov, Harris Corp. was awarded a $9,202,986 contract in April 2016 for FPS-85 phased-array radar radome maintenance and sustainment.

• Raytheon: According to MDA budget justifications, Raytheon began fabrication of the replacement SBX radar radome in FY 2024, with 1 unit initiated and funded at $150 million.

List of Top Radome Companies

• General Dynamics (U.S)
• Saint-Gobain (France)
• Cobham (Meggitt) (U.K)
• Nordam (U.S)
• ATK (U.S)
• L-3 ESSCO (U.S)
• Harris (U.S)
• Raytheon (U.S)
• Kelvin Hughes (U.K)
• Royal Engineered Composites (U.S)
• Infinite Technologies (U.S)
• CPI (U.S)
• Leonardo (Italy)
• Jenoptik (Germany)
• HTC (Taiwan)
• AVIC (China)

REPORT COVERAGE

This research profiles a report with extensive studies that take into description the firms that exist in the market affecting the forecasting period. With detailed studies done, it also offers a comprehensive analysis by inspecting the factors like segmentation, opportunities, industrial developments, trends, growth, size, share, and restraints. This analysis is subject to alteration if the key players and probable analysis of market dynamics change.