PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1888058
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1888058
Airborne satellite communication (SATCOM) system refers to a satellite communication system installed on aircraft, including fixed-wing planes, helicopters, or drones, to enable reliable long-distance voice, data, and video transmission. It provides seamless connectivity in remote areas, over oceans, or during military operations where terrestrial networks are unavailable.
The main components of airborne satellite communication (SATCOM) systems are transceivers, airborne radio, modems and routers, and SATCOM terminals. Transceivers in airborne SATCOM systems transmit and receive satellite signals, enabling secure two-way communication between aircraft and ground or satellite networks. Various frequency types include c-band, l-band, ka-band, ku-band, and uhf-band, and different platforms include fixed-wing aircraft, rotary-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, and satellite platforms. It is applied for military communication, commercial aviation, search and rescue, remote sensing, and disaster management, serving key end users including government, defense, private aviation, and commercial airlines.
Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.
The sharp hike in U.S. tariffs and the associated trade disputes in spring 2025 are notably impacting the aerospace and defense sector by raising costs for titanium, carbon fiber composites, and avionics materials largely sourced from global suppliers. Defense contractors, locked into fixed-price government contracts, absorb these added costs, while commercial aerospace firms face airline pushback on higher aircraft prices. Delays in component shipments due to customs bottlenecks further disrupt tight production schedules for jets and satellites. The industry is responding by stockpiling critical materials, seeking waivers for defense-related imports, and collaborating with allied nations to diversify supply chain.
The airborne satellite communication (SATCOM) system market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides airborne satellite communication (SATCOM) system market statistics, including airborne satellite communication (SATCOM) system industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a airborne satellite communication (SATCOM) system market share, detailed airborne satellite communication (SATCOM) system market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the airborne satellite communication (SATCOM) system industry. This airborne satellite communication (SATCOM) system market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.
The airborne satellite communication (SATCOM) system market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $6.26 billion in 2024 to $6.88 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing collaboration between satellite operators and airlines, rising demand for high-speed connectivity in remote areas, growing utilization of software-defined satellites, increasing need for low-latency communication links, and rising integration of AI-enabled satellite systems.
The airborne satellite communication (SATCOM) system market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $9.90 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.5%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growth in commercial aviation, rising demand for real-time aircraft tracking, increasing adoption of Internet of Things-enabled aviation systems, expanding multi-orbit satellite deployment, and greater integration of advanced communication technologies. Key trends in the forecast period include advancements in multi-orbit satellite connectivity, high-throughput satellite integration, innovations in low-latency communication solutions, AI-driven network optimization, and development of seamless in-flight connectivity services.
The increasing air passenger traffic is expected to propel the growth of the airborne satellite communication (SATCOM) system market going forward. Air passenger traffic measures the total number of people traveling on commercial aircraft over a given period, including both domestic and international flights. Air passenger traffic is rising due to growing middle-class income levels, which enable more people to afford air travel for both business and leisure purposes, increasing the number of travelers globally. Rising air passenger traffic drives demand for airborne SATCOM systems as airlines require reliable in-flight communication and internet services to manage larger passenger volumes efficiently while ensuring safety, operational coordination, and passenger connectivity. For instance, in January 2025, according to the International Air Transport Association, a Canada-based trade association, domestic full-year air traffic increased by 5.7% in 2024 over the previous year, accompanied by a 2.5% growth in available capacity. Therefore, the increasing air passenger traffic is driving the growth of the airborne satellite communication (SATCOM) system market.
Major companies operating in the airborne satellite communication (SATCOM) system market are focusing on developing multi-orbit capability to enhance global satellite coverage, improve network reliability, and enable seamless high-speed connectivity across diverse regions. Multi-orbit capability refers to a satellite system's ability to operate across different orbital regimes, enabling enhanced coverage, redundancy, and flexibility for communication, navigation, and data services. For instance, in May 2024, SES S.A., a Luxembourg-based traded satellite communications company, launched SES Open Orbits, a multi-orbit Ka-band inflight connectivity network for airlines. The network combines SES's GEO (geostationary) and MEO (medium-earth orbit) satellites, plus regional partners Neo Space Group, AeroSat Link, and Hughes Communications India, enabling seamless global coverage. Its open-architecture design allows traffic to be dynamically steered across different satellite systems so airlines can deliver consistent connectivity from take-off to landing. This launch aims to revolutionize in-flight connectivity by providing airlines with uninterrupted, high-speed internet access worldwide, enhancing passenger experience and operational efficiency.
In December 2024, Gogo Inc., a US-based telecommunications services company, acquired Satcom Direct Inc. for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Gogo Inc. aims to strengthen its position in the in-flight connectivity sector by integrating Satcom Direct Inc.'s advanced satellite communication solutions, enhancing global coverage, improving network reliability, and delivering seamless high-speed connectivity to commercial and business aircraft. Satcom Direct Inc. is a US-based company specializing in airborne SATCOM systems.
Major players in the airborne satellite communication (satcom) system market are RTX Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Honeywell International Inc., BAE Systems plc, Collins Aerospace, Thales S.A., L3Harris Technologies Inc., Ball Corporation, Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd., Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd., Viasat Inc., General Dynamics Mission Systems Inc., ASELSAN Electronics Industry and Trade Inc., Intelsat S.A., Telesat Corporation, Smiths Interconnect Inc., Hughes Network Systems LLC, Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd., Orbit Communications Systems Ltd., and Cobham Aerospace Communications Dourdan SACA.
North America was the largest region in the airborne satellite communication (SATCOM) system market in 2024. Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in airborne satellite communication (SATCOM) system report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.
The countries covered in the airborne satellite communication (SATCOM) system market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
The airborne satellite communication (SATCOM) system market consists of sales of antenna mounts, stabilization gimbals, diplexers, and multiplexers. 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.
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.
Airborne Satellite Communication (SATCOM) System Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses on airborne satellite communication (satcom) system market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for airborne satellite communication (satcom) system ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The airborne satellite communication (satcom) system market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.