An increasing emphasis on data-centric communications and providing net-centric capabilities will drive the military communications market with a move towards higher frequencies to meet the growing demand for spectrum. The Strategy Analytics ADS service series of forecasts, outline global defense expenditure trends segmented on a regional basis before breaking out the expected spend on military communications incorporating systems, hardware, support and related services across the land, air, naval and space domains. Some key highlights from across the forecasts include:

·         The introduction of new satellite communication platforms, such as the US-based AEHF and MUOS systems, in conjunction with an increased and continuing emphasis on network centric and data orientated communications capabilities will drive demand for military satellite communications.

·         Shipborne communications spending will be characterized by demand for multiple radio systems.

·         Fast-jet platforms will represent the mainstay for the airborne radio market while the emerging UAV market will represent the fastest growth sector.

·         Terrestrial radio volumes will be dominated by handheld systems while the emphasis on maintaining net-centric communications through to the tactical edge will drive VSAT terminal shipments.

Managing bandwidth in increasingly congested spectrum will be a key challenge in meeting future demands for data-centric military communications. This is leading to the use of higher frequencies, particularly evident in the military satellite communications segment with adoption of Ka-band. Other common themes across the military communications sector include a move towards multi-mode and multi-band radio solutions.

The series of military communications forecasts detail terminal shipments segmented across various platforms as well as detailing the associated market outlook for electronic components. For further details (clients of the ADS service can access the full forecasts), see:

·         Ground Communications Systems and Components Forecast 2012-2022

·         Airborne Communications Systems and Components Forecast 2012-2022

·         Terrestrial Military Satcom Communications Systems and Components Forecast 2012-2022

·         Shipborne Communications Systems and Components Forecast 2012-2022

Also, don’t miss our regular column in Microwave Journal’s Military Microwaves.

 Congestion in Traditional Bands Driving Adoption of Ka-band