Press Release

FI Projects $4.25 Billion U.S. Military Airborne Communications Market

NEWTOWN, Conn. [December 20, 2011] Forecast International projects that defense departments throughout the world will spend about $4.25 billion on 13 military airborne communications development and acquisition programs within the U.S. market over the next ten years. More specifically, this amount will be allocated for the development or procurement of airborne military communications systems or technology within the United States market.

In its annual "The Market for U.S. Military Airborne Communications Systems" analysis Forecast International further projects that defense departments will procure 18,382 individual units from among eight airborne military communications systems that are covered in the report.

"Modernizing legacy communications equipment with the most current software-operated systems is the primary driver of current investment in the U.S. airborne communications systems market,” said Greg Giaquinto, Forecast International senior analyst.

According to the analysis, the Joint Tactical Radio System program, the ARC-210 program, and the Fighter Tactical Data Link program will all have a major impact on the U.S. military airborne communications market in the coming decade.

The JTRS program to produce a single standard software-operated radio for the U.S. armed services is currently in research and development. FI is projecting that the Pentagon will spend some $847.34 million from FY11 to FY15 on research and development of the Airborne/Maritime/Fixed Station (AMF) Joint Tactical Radio System.

The ARC-210 is an airborne military radio manufactured by Rockwell Collins that provides two-way voice and data communications. It is also software-operated. Among recent activity, in the summer of 2011, Rockwell Collins announced that it had received $25 million in orders from the U.S. Navy for ARC-210 Gen5 radios. Forecast International estimates that defense departments will purchase more than 11,300 ARC-210 radios in the coming decade.

The U.S. Air Force’s Fighter Tactical Data Link R&D program seeks to provide critical capability and enhancements to tactical datalinks used on Air Force fighter aircraft. FI projects that the Air Force will spend about $113 million on its Fighter Tactical Data Link program over the next decade.

In terms of contractors, Forecast International projects that Northrop Grumman, Boeing, Rockwell Collins, ViaSat, and Data Link Solutions will receive 62.06 percent of the amount to be spent by defense departments on the 13 products and programs covered in the analysis. Northrop will lead with $1.03 billion. Boeing, Rockwell, ViaSat, and Data Link Solutions will follow with $951.90 million, $660.21 million, $154.08 million, and $136.97 million, respectively.

Forecast International, Inc. (www.forecastinternational.com) is a leading provider of Market Intelligence and Analysis in the areas of aerospace, defense, power systems and military electronics. Based in Newtown, Conn., USA, Forecast International specializes in long-range industry forecasts and market assessments used by strategic planners, marketing professionals, military organizations, and governments worldwide. To arrange an interview with Forecast International’s editors, please contact Ray Peterson, Vice President, Research & Editorial Services (203) 426-0800, ray.peterson@forecast1.com. Questions regarding sales may be directed to sales@forecast1.com.