Airborne Target Acquisition Systems Market Report 2026

Airborne Target Acquisition Systems Market Overview

• Airborne Target Acquisition Systems market size has reached to $15.66 billion in 2025 • Expected to grow to $19.06 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.9% • Growth Driver: The Increasing Demand For Airborne Target Acquisition Systems Is Driving Market Growth Due To Enhanced Border Surveillance And Rising Security Threats • Market Trend: AI-Enabled Airborne Targeting Systems Enhance Precision And Mission Efficiency In Modern Combat Operations • North America was the largest region in 2025 and Asia-Pacific is the fastest growing region.

What Is Covered Under Airborne Target Acquisition Systems Market?

Airborne target acquisition systems are advanced military technologies designed to detect, identify, and track targets from airborne platforms. Their primary goal is to enhance situational awareness and targeting accuracy in combat operations. They also improve mission effectiveness, reduce response time, support strategic defense objectives, and contribute to a modern, technology-driven defense infrastructure. The main platform types of airborne target acquisition systems are fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Fixed-wing aircraft equipped with airborne target acquisition systems provide extended-range surveillance and high-altitude target detection, enhancing intelligence and battlefield awareness. It utilizes various technologies such as radar, electro-optical or infrared (EO or IR) systems, and electronic support measures (ESM) with several ranges, including short range (0-8 kilometers (km)), medium range (8-250 kilometers (km)), and long range (above 250 kilometers (km)). It is applicable in various applications such as air-to-air combat, air-to-ground surveillance, maritime surveillance, and electronic warfare, and is used by several end-users, including military and homeland security.

What Is The Airborne Target Acquisition Systems Market Growth Forecast?

The airborne target acquisition systems market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $19.06 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing investment in AI-driven target acquisition and automated threat detection, expansion of airborne systems for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), focus on multi-sensor integration for enhanced accuracy, rising demand for networked and interoperable targeting solutions, increasing procurement for next-generation combat aircraft and defense platforms. Major trends in the forecast period include increased deployment of multi-sensor fusion, growth in high-resolution eo/ir targeting, expansion of uav-based target acquisition, integration of fire-control and communication systems, demand for advanced threat detection systems.

What Is Driver Of The Airborne Target Acquisition Systems Market?

The increasing need for border surveillance is expected to propel the growth of the airborne target acquisition systems market going forward. Border surveillance involves the use of advanced technologies to monitor border regions in real time, aiming to detect, deter, and address illegal crossings or potential threats. Heightened security threats are fueling the growth of border surveillance, resulting to greater adoption of advanced systems to track risks and illegal entries. Airborne target acquisition systems support border surveillance by delivering real-time aerial detection, tracking, and threat identification. Their advanced sensors and wide-area coverage enable swift responses in remote or difficult-to-monitor border zones. For instance, in October 2025, according to the KXAN Austin, a US-based television station, in September, U.S. Border Patrol agents apprehended 10,203 individuals, representing a 26% month-over-month increase.Therefore, the increasing need for border surveillance is driving the growth of the airborne target acquisition systems industry.

Key Players In The Global Airborne Target Acquisition Systems Market

Major companies operating in the airborne target acquisition systems market are Raytheon Technologies Corporation, The Boeing Company, Lockhee Martin Corporation, Airbus, General Dynamics Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, BAE Systems plc, Safran SA, Thales Group, L3Harris Technologies Inc., Leidos Holdings Inc., Rheinmetall AG, Saab AB, Hensoldt AG, Aselsan A.S., Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc., Teledyne FLIR, Kearfott Corporation, Thermoteknix Systems Ltd., Blighter Surveillance Systems Limited

Global Airborne Target Acquisition Systems Market Trends and Insights

Major companies operating in the airborne target acquisition systems market are focusing on developing advanced solutions such as AI-enabled airborne targeting systems to improve operational effectiveness in complex combat environments. An AI-enabled airborne targeting system is a sophisticated aerial solution that leverages artificial intelligence to automatically detect, classify, and track targets with enhanced speed and accuracy. It significantly improves situational awareness, threat assessment, and targeting efficiency in dynamic combat and surveillance scenarios. For instance, in September 2024, Hensoldt, a Germany-based defense electronics company, unveiled the ARGOS-15 at the Africa Aerospace and Defense Expo 2024. This 15-inch gimbal system integrates AI-powered object detection, classification, and tracking capabilities, enhancing real-time decision-making and mission efficiency. The ARGOS-15 is designed for both manned and unmanned airborne platforms, offering superior performance for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) operations.

What Are Latest Mergers And Acquisitions In The Airborne Target Acquisition Systems Market? Airbus Acquired Flexrotor From Aerovel To Boost Tactical Unmanned ISR Capabilities

In May 2024, Airbus, a France-based aerospace corporation, acquired Flexrotor from Aerovel for an undisclosed amount. With this acquisition, Airbus aims to enhance its unmanned aerial systems (UAS) capabilities by integrating Aerovel's Flexrotor, a long-endurance, vertical-takeoff-and-landing (VTOL) drone, into its defense and surveillance portfolio. Aerovel is a US-based manufacturer of airborne target acquisition systems.

What Defines the Airborne Target Acquisition Systems Market?

The airborne target acquisition systems market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as threat detection, target tracking, surveillance integration, and precision targeting solutions. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The airborne target acquisition systems market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as threat detection, target tracking, surveillance integration, and precision targeting solutions. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The airborne target acquisition systems market also includes sales of sensor payloads, communication systems, and fire control systems. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

How is Market Value Defined and Measured?

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified). The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

What Key Data and Analysis Are Included in the Airborne Target Acquisition Systems Market Report 2026?

The airborne target acquisition systems market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides market statistics, including industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with the market share, detailed market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the airborne target acquisition systems industry. The market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future state of the industry.