Directed Energy Weapons Market Forecasts to 2030 - Global Analysis By Product, Laser System, Range, Technology, Application, End User and By Geography

According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Directed Energy Weapons Market is accounted for $6.44 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $25.33 billion by 2030 growing at a CAGR of 21.6% during the forecast period. A directed-energy weapon (DEW) is a ranging weapon that harms its target with intensely concentrated energy without the use of a physical projectile. They can be employed covertly in areas where radiation is silent and unseen. To track or just focus on the target, they heavily rely on one optical system. The most cutting-edge DEW weapon is thought to be a laser. Additionally, mirrors make it simple to direct these poles toward unseen things at a distance. The high-speed transfer of fatal power, negligible effects of gravity or atmospheric drag, stealth-like performance with noiseless and invisible beams are only a few advantages these weapons have over traditional explosives. Examples of DEWs include lasers, microwaves, particle beams, and sound beams.

According to the news report on the Self-Protect High Energy Laser Demonstrator (SHiELD) Advanced Technology Demonstration Program, the Air Force Research Laboratory planned to test the fully developed directed energy weapons system by 2024.

Market Dynamics:

Driver:

Increasing combat operations

The use of directed energy weapons on military platforms including satellites, aircraft, mobile vehicles, and ships is on the rise. One of the most cutting-edge directed energy technologies is the quick development of high-energy laser weapons and the use of high-energy laser weapons to counter the danger of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Combat operations expanded as terrorist strikes become more frequent. Laser weapons have been researched and developed by several military manufacturers and integrators, and they are becoming more operational. In order to create high-energy laser weapon systems, several major key players are also investigating cutting-edge counter-unmanned aerial vehicle (C-UAV) tactics, which are further boosting the market's expansion.

Restraint:

Strict norms for anti-personnel lasers

DEWs are not currently on the agenda of any global institution, nor are they formally defined under international law. Directed energy weapons would fall under a variety of legal systems. The UN's Protocol on Blinding Laser Weapons (1995), appended to the Framework Convention on the Prohibition or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW), outlawed the use of blinding weapons. As a result, different DEW systems created for military use in combat have not been placed into service. These factors collectively are impeding the market expansion.

Opportunity:

Advancements in DEW technologies

When choosing a directed energy weapon, improved system dependability is essential. It requires the use of advanced technology to acquire and disseminate capabilities across diverse defensive systems, such as combat vehicles. In order to boost detection rates, these directed energy weapons are placed in key areas. All nations currently rely on these directed energy weapons to defend against regional threats and border conflicts as a result of these weapon's ongoing technological developments. The market is expanding due to rising R&D efforts and the vast range of defense industry application prospects.

Threat:

Incorporating new technology into current systems

Directed energy devices are less effective since it is challenging to integrate current and conventional technologies. New gadgets can have various protocols that make them challenging to adopt. It necessitates time and effort to integrate legacy systems with modern technology, and doing so might divert attention away from an organization's essential operations. This component is impeding the market expansion.

COVID-19 Impact:

Due to the rigorous lockdowns and social isolation necessary to stop the virus's propagation, the COVID-19 had a detrimental effect on the market for directed energy weapons. The lack of consumer confidence, the partial business closure, and the uncertain economic climate all had an influence on demand for defense systems. During the epidemic, the supply chain was impeded along with logistical operations. However, because of the relaxation of regulations and the rise in demand for non-lethal weapons, the market for directed energy weapons is anticipated to pick up speed in the post-pandemic situation.

The lethal segment is expected to be the largest during the forecast period:

The lethal segment is estimated to have a lucrative growth. Lethal directed energy weapons emit a concentrated beam of electromagnetic waves at a high frequency, which allows them to penetrate the top layer of skin to induce burning and suffering without emitting ionizing radiation. In a concentrated region and over distances, they have a little longer wavelength. High-powered electromagnetic weapons like millimetre waves and high-energy lasers are among them. They are more corrosive and cost less to run.

The high energy laser segment is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period:

The high energy laser segment is anticipated to witness the fastest CAGR growth during the forecast period. High-energy lasers emit light pulses with relatively high pulse energy. Photons, or light particles, are used by high-energy laser systems to conduct civil defense and military operations. In order to fight a variety of threats, such as unmanned aerial systems, rockets, artillery, and mortars, this directed energy technology allows for the detection of threats, tracking during movements, and positive visual identification. They have deep magazines and offer light speed. They make sense to deploy against low-cost threats like drones since they also have a very low cost per shot. The development of high-energy laser weapons is being fuelled by the need for surveillance, target identification, and post-conflict damage assessments.

Region with largest share:

North America is projected to hold the largest market share during the forecast period. One of the world's strongest defensive systems is found in this region. It has several of the most developed and robust economies, and the demand of guns and ammunition is rising rapidly. The government has entered into agreements to develop and use directed energy weapons during the previous few years with companies such as Raytheon Technologies Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation, and Boeing. This region is the site of a lot of these weapon's research and development. The market expansion in this region is being accelerated by the increased danger of terrorism and significant prospects for the leading players.

Region with highest CAGR:

Asia Pacific is projected to have the highest CAGR over the forecast period. China and India are the leading manufacturers of directed energy weapons in this region. Due to recent fast economic growth, rising security risks, and rising border conflicts, the market for directed energy weapons has seen growing demand. Due to the increasing likelihood of being the target of terrorist attacks, China, Japan, and India have all upped their military spending in recent years. Additionally, the region's increased investment in the modernisation of its military forces is promoting market expansion.

Key players in the market

Some of the key players profiled in the Directed Energy Weapons Market include The Boeing Company, L3Harris Technologies Inc, Lockheed Martin Corporation, QinetiQ Group PLC, Elbit Systems Ltd, Honeywell International Inc, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd, BAE Systems PLC, Rheinmetall AG, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Raytheon Technologies Corporation, Thales Group, Moog Inc, Textron Inc, Leonardo SPA, Aqwest LLC and Roketsan SA.

Key Developments:

In May 2023, Honeywell announced its innovative, new UOP eFining technology, a ready-now solution for producing low-carbon sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). HIF Global intends to deploy the new technology to produce eSAF at its second US eFuels facility.

In November 2022, Leonardo has proven the tracking capability of its new laser beam director as part of the ongoing UK DragonFire Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) trials. The company has since refurbished the beam director and made some further modifications.

In November 2022, L3Harris Technologies introduced an advanced infrared sensor that will enhance the Javelin Weapon System's Command Launch Unit, which is broadly used in U.S. and foreign military operations, by helping to reduce the time needed to engage targets.

In December 2021, Thales has launched XTRAIM, a new weapon sight offering day/night decamouflage capabilities that previously could only be achieved by using several separate pieces of equipment. It is compatible with all shoulder-fired assault rifles (HK416) and light machine guns (Minimi), providing users with an unparalleled precision night-firing capability.

Products Covered:

• Lethal
• Non-lethal

Laser Systems Covered:

• Free Electron Laser
• Solid-state Laser
• Fiber Laser
• Chemical Laser
• Other Laser Systems

Ranges Covered:

• Less Than 1 Mile
• More Than 1 Mile

Technologies Covered:

• High Power Microwave
• High Energy Laser
• Particle Beam
• Sonic Weapons
• Electromagnetic Weapons
• High Power Radio Frequency
• Other Technologies

Applications Covered:

• Defense
• Homeland Security

End Users Covered:

• Armored Vehicles
• Handheld Systems
• Unmanned Systems
• Aircraft Systems
• Ships & Submarines
• Other End Users

Regions Covered:

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • Italy
  • France
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • Japan
  • China
  • India
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • South Korea
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
  • Argentina
  • Brazil
  • Chile
  • Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • Qatar
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa

What our report offers:

• Market share assessments for the regional and country-level segments
• Strategic recommendations for the new entrants
• Covers Market data for the years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2026, and 2030
• Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)
• Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations
• Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends
• Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments
• Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements

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