Military Radar: Surveying Beyond Battle Grounds

Figure 1 Military radar. Source: Alarmy.com.

The military radar segment covered in this article includes radar technology used for applications like monitoring aircraft and missiles, managing air-to-air missiles and guns along with detecting potential threats such as hypersonic missiles and drones. Military radar technology has advanced significantly over time. These systems have become crucial components of broader detection and tracking networks for military operations due to improvements in radar resolution, range and detection capabilities.

There are several different kinds of military radars, including air defense radars, early warning radars and ground surveillance radars. These systems have become an indispensable part of top-level defense strategies. The strategic objective and eventual success of these military applications are supported by the rapid evolution of radar systems, typically driven by technological and digitization breakthroughs. A typical military radar antenna is shown in Figure 1.

Decoding the Future of Military Radar

Radar is an umbrella term used to refer to a wide spectrum of techniques and devices for detecting and surveying objects using radio waves. Radar systems cover a wide range of applications, including ground-penetrating radar, weather radar and air traffic control radar, in addition to more defense-related applications like search, fire control and surveillance radar. The ability to identify objects using radio waves makes radar a general name for a variety of remote sensing technologies.

Extrapolate says that the military radar market size is likely to reach $25.75 billion by 2030, recording a healthy CAGR of 4.5 percent during the 2021 to 2030 forecast period.¹ These numbers are clear indications that the market is poised for robust growth in the near future. As a result of the breakthroughs and trends sweeping the industry, military radar is anticipated to advance quickly, transforming defense forces along the way. The forecast graphic associated with the Extrapolate report is shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2 Military radar market forecast. Source: Extrapolate.

Radar is used in defense applications to locate missiles, ships, airplanes and spacecraft that represent a threat from the air, land, water or space. Radar devices are also crucial to the task of locating explosives and landmines that are concealed from view. One of the most popular products in the military radar sector that has significant demand on a global scale is lightweight radar. High demand for these radars will create a large market opportunity for these systems. The global military radar sector is being driven by increased national spending to strengthen home defense and border defense forces.

What Is Driving the Military Radar Market?

Military radar is gaining immense popularity as border disputes increase. These disputes point out the need for improved defense capabilities. The Middle East has a long history of conflict due to disagreements over borders and hostilities in areas like Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Syria. In light of regional power uncertainties and local conflicts, the region has experienced an increase in the appetite for weapons and defensive systems. Regional markets are growing in response to increasing border disputes and political upheaval in neighboring countries and this uncertainty influences the procurement of cutting-edge weapons.

These factors are fueling increased defense expenditures and the acquisition of military radars to address potential threats. According to “The Economic Times,” the world’s military spending has surpassed $2 trillion for the first time.² The U.S., the world’s largest economy, remains the biggest spender, according to a report released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), a Swedish defense think tank. In its 2021 report,³ SIPRI stated that overall global military expenditure increased by 0.7 percent in real terms to $2,113 billion in 2021. The U.S., China, India, the U.K. and Russia were the top five spenders in 2021, collectively accounting for 62 percent of expenditures. Military budgets are also anticipated to benefit from the shift from traditional combat to electronic and cyber warfare.

Another defense budget driver is the pressing demand to track global terrorist activities. These and other activities are increasing geopolitical tensions, which also contribute to increasing defense expenditures in developing countries, especially in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific regions. These demands have pushed various countries to develop radar systems that are suited to specific needs and criteria. In April 2021, as an example, China launched a portable and adaptable radar that can detect stealth aircraft, cruise missiles and drones.

Increasing investment in military radar is driven by the need to improve air defense capabilities by incorporating new technological developments and an increase in combat aircraft acquisition. Market growth is constrained by the size of early-stage investments, the inability to detect small targets, like drones and strict cross-border trading regulations. The escalation of geopolitical tensions and the expansion of military radar research and development for airborne platforms are anticipated to create profitable business opportunities for manufacturers of military radar equipment in the market.

Military Radar Trends

As military radars evolve, regional defense agencies are increasingly integrating technology and innovative features as differentiators against other countries. An emerging radar trend is the introduction of MIMO phased array radars. An array of antennas with digital receivers that can transmit any waveform is a mainstay of the architecture of these MIMO radars.

MIMO radars are the evolution of active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars. AESA radars are still widely used, providing substantial advantages over mechanically or passively scanned radars, but they are potentially heavier and more expensive than the next-generation MIMO radars. These radars can use a 3D range because of the number of elements and transceivers. The new MIMO technology is anticipated to outperform the current AESA systems for ground radar applications. MIMO radars also offer greater jamming resilience capacity when compared to AESA radars and this also contributes to its growing demand.

The Drone Challenge

Figure 3 Conceptual drawing of a drone.

Figure 4 Spy balloon. Source: Setav.org.

As shown in Figure 3, most drones are comparatively small, making their identification by radar systems difficult. On the radar screen, there is presently no way to block such a small object. The expanding use of commercial or personal drones exacerbates the problem, making it difficult for radar systems to manage such a large number of simultaneous targets. Built-in display filters only show the most critical targets and filter out the remainder to prevent system overload. The inability to identify drones and the rising use of small drones for monitoring are expected to limit market growth.

The Threat and Opportunity of HAPS

Recent innovations and trends are high altitude platform systems (HAPS). These high altitude platforms are being envisioned as tools in the broadband connectivity portfolio, but they are also in use in surveillance applications. One recent example of this use that caught everyone’s attention was the incursion of high altitude balloons into U.S. territory. Even if the three balloons that have subsequently been blown up by fighter aircraft were allegedly benign, U.S. intelligence officials are still persuaded that the first suspected Chinese spy balloon that was shot down was meant for surveillance over key military locations.⁴ A photo of the Chinese spy balloon is shown in Figure 4. According to reports, the balloons were used as a part of China’s military spy program to get information about the U.S. It was thought that the balloons included sophisticated sensors and cameras that could record video and collect data at a great height.

This is not the first time China has used spy balloons. Since 2017, at least four balloons have reportedly breached U.S. airspace, according to sources. According to American officials, the balloons may have violated international law and presented a risk to national security. Despite previous incidents, this was the first time that the U.S. military intervened to shoot down the balloons. To combat this issue, the U.S. military intends to deploy an over-the-horizon radar in Palau by 2026. This installation will enhance the early warning capabilities in the western Pacific as China’s military power rises.

The Shift Toward Military Radar

Military radars are experiencing tremendous growth and demand due to the various advantages they offer. Some of the advantages of evolving radar systems:

• Robustness in all weather conditions: Radars are built to function and gather data in challenging weather, such as snow, rain and fog, which can impair the effectiveness of other sensors.
• Long-range surveillance and early warning capabilities: Radar systems are capable of detecting objects hundreds of kilometers away.
• Detecting the location and speed of objects: Military radars can identify the location and speed of objects, such as aircraft, missiles, ships and ground vehicles by evaluating the Doppler shift in the return signal.
• Providing situational awareness: On the battlefield, military radars can assist commanders in making choices by providing real-time data on the location and movement of both friendly and opposing forces.
• Real-time detection and monitoring: Military radars can be used in air traffic control to increase both the safety and effectiveness of air transport.

Regional Defense Expenditures

The challenges to incorporate the latest innovative, cutting-edge technology advancements in military radar are driving military budgets and competition in the industry. Since the United States spends the most on defense and has purchased the latest military radars, the North American region is predicted to maintain a significant share of the market. As a result of initiatives and programs such as the Air and Missile Defense Radar and the Three-Dimensional Expeditionary Long-Range Radar, the regional market is anticipated to see good growth. The rising demand for military radars is also aided by significant OEMs such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, among others.

Three transmit/receive sites are required by the operational DARC program, positioned at mid-latitudes all around the world, to detect and track satellites. The U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command awarded Northrop Grumman a $341 million contract in February 2022 to start construction on the global system, with the initial installation in Australia planned for the year 2025. The locations of the next two sites have yet to be determined, but they will be in Europe and the U.S.

A growing number of military modernization projects are expected to propel Europe to become a significant region in the industry. Demands will be made by Spain, Germany and other nations whose military spending has increased year-over-year. In July 2020, German defense electronics and sensor company, Hensoldt and Airbus Defence and Space received a $1.7 billion contract for the delivery of AESA radars for the Eurofighter fleets of Germany and Spain. At contract completion, 130 aircraft will be outfitted with radar components, such as digital multi-channel receivers, antennas and transmitter modules.

According to the Norwegian Government Security and Service Organisation, on November 17, 2022, the Norwegian Defence Material Agency and Lockheed Martin signed a contract for the shipment of eight military air surveillance radars, with the potential for three more radars.⁵ By the end of 2025, the first radar will be installed atop Gyrihaugen in Ringerike, where arrangements are already underway. By 2030, all the radars will be delivered.

This does not mean Asia-Pacific is lagging. This region will experience the largest growth during the forecast period. Growing cross-border issues and geopolitical tensions between countries such as China, India and Pakistan are driving an increase in the need for advanced threat detection systems. This region imports a substantial portion of its systems. The percentage of foreign purchases for defense products and equipment from 2017 to 2021 ranged from 34 percent to almost 42 percent.

A Practical Example

There are various novel innovations in the military radar industry. The Indian Army recently purchased six Swathi Mark II Weapon Locating Radar (WLR) from Bharat Electronics (BEL). The Defence Research and Development Organisation and BEL collaborated to develop the Swathi WLR, a mobile artillery-locating phased array radar. The radar system has a variant created for use in mountainous terrain. Its purpose is to identify the source of the counter-battery fire by detecting and tracking incoming artillery, mortar and rocket fire. The WLR is set up on a wheeled Tatra 8×8 truck frame and has a C-Band frequency range with a configured range of 50 km. According to various reports, the radar system is more user-friendly than the AN/TPQ-37 radar but is identical in performance and design.

Conclusion

In times of conflict, military radar is a vital tool for tracking aircraft, seeing potential threats and providing early missile detection. Radar technology has been used in a wide range of applications in recent years due to developments in digital signal processing and machine learning. These include guided missile target locating systems, self-driving cars, ground-penetrating radar for geological observations, air and terrestrial traffic control, radar astronomy, air defense systems, anti-missile systems, marine radars, aircraft anti-collision systems, ocean surveillance systems and space surveillance and rendezvous systems.

References

1. “Global Military Radar Market Size,” Extrapolate, July 2022, Web: extrapolate.com/aerospace-and-defence/military-radar-market/26008.
2. “World Military Expenditure Passes $2 Trillion for 1st Time; India in 3rd place: SIPRI,” The Economic Times, April 2022, Web: economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/world-military-expenditure-passes-usd-2-trillion-for-1st-time-us-on-top-sipri/articleshow/91077188.cms?from=mdr.
3. “SIPRI Databases,“ Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Web: sipri.org/databases.
4. INTEL.gov, Web: intelligence.gov/.
5. “New Air Surveillance Radars to the Norwegian Armed Forces,” Norwegian Government Security and Service Organisation, November 2022, Web: regjeringen.no/en/aktuelt/new-technology-to-enable-the-norwegian-armed-forces-to-meet-current-and-future-air-threats/id2947358/.