공중 소나 시장 규모, 점유율, 성장 및 세계 산업 분석 : 유형별, 용도별, 지역별 인사이트 및 예측(2024-2032년)

Growth Factors of airborne SONAR Market

The global airborne SONAR market is undergoing steady expansion as advancements in naval defense technologies, geopolitical tensions, and growing applications in scientific and commercial domains drive extensive adoption. According to the latest industry assessment, the global airborne SONAR market was valued at USD 833.4 million in 2024, is projected to rise to USD 896.8 million in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 1,141.4 million by 2032. This growth is supported by the rising need for advanced underwater surveillance, modernization of maritime forces, and increasing integration of AI-driven acoustic sensing technologies.

Airborne SONAR systems, installed on helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and UAVs, help detect, track, and classify submerged targets such as submarines, mines, and underwater hazards. These systems are indispensable for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), maritime patrol operations, oceanographic research, environmental monitoring, and offshore resource exploration. Technologies such as synthetic aperture sonar, multi-beam sonar, and AI-enhanced acoustic processing continue to improve detection accuracy, resolution, and operational flexibility, making airborne SONAR a crucial capability in today's maritime security landscape.

Regional Insights

North America dominated the global market in 2024 with a 31.38% share, supported by high defense spending, advanced naval modernization programs, and the presence of leading defense manufacturers. The U.S. Navy's continued investment in ASW capabilities, modernization of maritime patrol aircraft fleets, and adoption of next-generation sonar technologies reinforce the region's leadership. North America's market size reached USD 261.5 million in 2024, driven by extensive procurement of airborne SONAR systems for surveillance, reconnaissance, and strategic defense missions.

Europe ranked as the second-largest market, driven by collaborative NATO initiatives, rising geopolitical tensions, and significant modernization efforts by countries such as France, the U.K., and Germany. Investments in fleet upgrades, enhanced sonobuoy capabilities, and joint defense projects-including the Franco-German Maritime Airborne Warfare System (MAWS)-are shaping European market growth.

Asia Pacific is the fastest-growing region, propelled by increasing territorial disputes, expanding naval budgets, and major modernization programs across China, India, Japan, and South Korea. Growing maritime trade, offshore exploration, and coastal surveillance demands also strengthen regional adoption. The region's rising focus on UAV-compatible sonar platforms and high-resolution underwater mapping technologies positions Asia Pacific as a strategic hotspot for airborne SONAR expansion.

The rest of the world-including Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa-shows steady market growth driven by maritime security challenges, increasing demand for coastal surveillance, and interest in advanced underwater detection systems for naval and commercial purposes.

Market Dynamics

Market Drivers

Growing defense budgets and escalating geopolitical tensions significantly fuel the demand for airborne SONAR systems. Nations worldwide are expanding their anti-submarine warfare fleets, investing in naval modernization, and adopting advanced technologies such as AI and machine learning for real-time acoustic processing. The rising adoption of UAV-based sonar payloads and hybrid sensor systems enhances operational efficiency and cuts costs, expanding usage beyond militaries into environmental monitoring and commercial exploration.

Market Restraints

High development and operational costs-spanning advanced materials, AI algorithms, and specialized personnel-restrict adoption, especially among smaller defense organizations. Technical constraints such as acoustic losses at air-water interfaces, environmental interference, and complicated regulatory frameworks also limit deployment. Additionally, global variations in sonar compliance policies and shortages of skilled technical workers hinder broader market penetration.

Market Opportunities

Emerging opportunities lie in AI-enabled analytics, miniaturization of sonar systems for UAV deployment, and increasing environmental and hydrographic mapping activities. Recent UAV-SONAR integrations and advanced sonar trials demonstrate strong potential for cost-effective shallow-water mapping, environmental monitoring, and civilian maritime applications.

Segmentation Highlights

By Application

The defense segment dominated in 2024, driven by ASW, maritime reconnaissance, and naval modernization initiatives. The commercial segment is expanding due to increased demand for underwater mapping, offshore exploration, and marine research.

By Solution

The hardware segment held the largest share in 2024, supported by investments in high-performance sensors, transducers, and advanced sonar arrays. Meanwhile, software platforms leveraging AI-driven processing and real-time analytics are becoming increasingly vital.

By End-User

The retrofit segment led the market in 2024, as many countries upgrade aging fleets with modern airborne SONAR systems. The line fit segment is growing rapidly as demand for new maritime patrol aircraft rises.

Conclusion

With market value increasing from USD 833.4 million in 2024 to USD 896.8 million in 2025, and projected to reach USD 1,141.4 million by 2032, the airborne SONAR market is poised for steady long-term growth. Rising investment in naval defense, continued technological innovation, and expanding applications in scientific and commercial sectors position airborne SONAR as a critical technology in future maritime security and exploration.

Segmentation By Application

• Commercial
• Defense

By Solution

• Hardware
  • Transmitter
  • Receiver
  • Control Units
  • Displays
  • Sensors
• Ultrasonic Diffuse Proximity Sensors
• Ultrasonic Retro-reflective Sensors
• Ultrasonic Through-beam Sensors
• VME-ADC
• Others
  • Others
• Software

By End-user

• Line Fit
• Retrofit

By Region

• North America (By Application, Solution, End-user, and Country)
  • U.S. (By End-User)
  • Canada (By End-User)
• Europe (By Application, Solution, End-user, and Country)
  • Germany (By End-User)
  • U.K. (By End-User)
  • France (By End-User)
  • Rest of Europe (By End-User)
• Asia Pacific (By Application, Solution, End-user, and Country)
  • China (By End-User)
  • Japan (By End-User)
  • India (By End-User)
  • Australia (By End-User)
  • Rest of Asia Pacific (By End-User)
• Rest of the World (By Application, Solution, End-user, and Sub-Region)
  • Latin America (By End-User)
• Middle East & Africa (By End-User)

Table of Content

1. Introduction

• 1.1. Research Scope
• 1.2. Market Segmentation
• 1.3. Research Methodology
• 1.4. Definitions and Assumptions

2. Executive Summary

3. Market Dynamics

• 3.1. Market Drivers
• 3.2. Market Restraints
• 3.3. Market Opportunities

4. Key Insights

• 4.1. Key Industry Developments - Key Contracts & Agreements, Mergers, Acquisitions and Partnerships
• 4.2. Latest technological Advancements
• 4.3. Porters Five Forces Analysis
• 4.4. Supply Chain Analysis

5. Global Airborne SONAR Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2019-2032

• 5.1. Key Findings / Summary
• 5.2. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By Application
  • 5.2.1. Commercial
  • 5.2.2. Defense
• 5.3. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By Solution
  • 5.3.1. Hardware
    • 5.3.1.1. Transmitter
    • 5.3.1.2. Receiver
    • 5.3.1.3. Control Units
    • 5.3.1.4. Displays
    • 5.3.1.5. Sensors
      • 5.3.1.5.1. Ultrasonic Diffuse Proximity Sensors
      • 5.3.1.5.2. Ultrasonic Retro-reflective Sensors
      • 5.3.1.5.3. Ultrasonic Through-beam Sensors
      • 5.3.1.5.4. VME-ADC
      • 5.3.1.5.5. Others
    • 5.3.1.6. Others
  • 5.3.2. Software
• 5.4. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By End-user
  • 5.4.1. Line Fit
  • 5.4.2. Retrofit
• 5.5. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By Region
  • 5.5.1. North America
  • 5.5.2. Europe
  • 5.5.3. Asia Pacific
  • 5.5.4. Rest of the World

6. North America Airborne SONAR Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2019-2032

• 6.1. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By Application
  • 6.1.1. Commercial
  • 6.1.2. Defense
• 6.2. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By Solution
  • 6.2.1. Hardware
    • 6.2.1.1. Transmitter
    • 6.2.1.2. Receiver
    • 6.2.1.3. Control Units
    • 6.2.1.4. Displays
    • 6.2.1.5. Sensors
      • 6.2.1.5.1. Ultrasonic Diffuse Proximity Sensors
      • 6.2.1.5.2. Ultrasonic Retro-reflective Sensors
      • 6.2.1.5.3. Ultrasonic Through-beam Sensors
      • 6.2.1.5.4. VME-ADC
      • 6.2.1.5.5. Others
    • 6.2.1.6. Others
  • 6.2.2. Software
• 6.3. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By End-user
  • 6.3.1. Line Fit
  • 6.3.2. Retrofit
• 6.4. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By Region
  • 6.4.1. U.S.
    • 6.4.1.1. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By End-user
      • 6.4.1.1.1. Line Fit
      • 6.4.1.1.2. Retrofit
  • 6.4.2. Canada
    • 6.4.2.1. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By End-user
      • 6.4.2.1.1. Line Fit
      • 6.4.2.1.2. Retrofit

7. Europe Airborne SONAR Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2019-2032

• 7.1. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By Application
  • 7.1.1. Commercial
  • 7.1.2. Defense
• 7.2. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By Solution
  • 7.2.1. Hardware
    • 7.2.1.1. Transmitter
    • 7.2.1.2. Receiver
    • 7.2.1.3. Control Units
    • 7.2.1.4. Displays
    • 7.2.1.5. Sensors
      • 7.2.1.5.1. Ultrasonic Diffuse Proximity Sensors
      • 7.2.1.5.2. Ultrasonic Retro-reflective Sensors
      • 7.2.1.5.3. Ultrasonic Through-beam Sensors
      • 7.2.1.5.4. VME-ADC
      • 7.2.1.5.5. Others
    • 7.2.1.6. Others
  • 7.2.2. Software
• 7.3. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By End-user
  • 7.3.1. Line Fit
  • 7.3.2. Retrofit
• 7.4. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By Region
  • 7.4.1. U.K.
    • 7.4.1.1. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By End-user
      • 7.4.1.1.1. Line Fit
      • 7.4.1.1.2. Retrofit
  • 7.4.2. Germany
    • 7.4.2.1. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By End-user
      • 7.4.2.1.1. Line Fit
      • 7.4.2.1.2. Retrofit
  • 7.4.3. France
    • 7.4.3.1. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By End-user
      • 7.4.3.1.1. Line Fit
      • 7.4.3.1.2. Retrofit
  • 7.4.4. Russia
    • 7.4.4.1. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By End-user
      • 7.4.4.1.1. Line Fit
      • 7.4.4.1.2. Retrofit
  • 7.4.5. Rest of Europe
    • 7.4.5.1. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By End-user
      • 7.4.5.1.1. Line Fit
      • 7.4.5.1.2. Retrofit

8. Asia Pacific Airborne SONAR Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2019-2032

• 8.1. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By Application
  • 8.1.1. Commercial
  • 8.1.2. Defense
• 8.2. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By Solution
  • 8.2.1. Hardware
    • 8.2.1.1. Transmitter
    • 8.2.1.2. Receiver
    • 8.2.1.3. Control Units
    • 8.2.1.4. Displays
    • 8.2.1.5. Sensors
      • 8.2.1.5.1. Ultrasonic Diffuse Proximity Sensors
      • 8.2.1.5.2. Ultrasonic Retro-reflective Sensors
      • 8.2.1.5.3. Ultrasonic Through-beam Sensors
      • 8.2.1.5.4. VME-ADC
      • 8.2.1.5.5. Others
    • 8.2.1.6. Others
  • 8.2.2. Software
• 8.3. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By End-user
  • 8.3.1. Line Fit
  • 8.3.2. Retrofit
• 8.4. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By Region
  • 8.4.1. China
    • 8.4.1.1. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By End-user
      • 8.4.1.1.1. Line Fit
      • 8.4.1.1.2. Retrofit
  • 8.4.2. India
    • 8.4.2.1. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By End-user
      • 8.4.2.1.1. Line Fit
      • 8.4.2.1.2. Retrofit
  • 8.4.3. Japan
    • 8.4.3.1. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By End-user
      • 8.4.3.1.1. Line Fit
      • 8.4.3.1.2. Retrofit
  • 8.4.4. South Korea
    • 8.4.4.1. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By End-user
      • 8.4.4.1.1. Line Fit
      • 8.4.4.1.2. Retrofit
  • 8.4.5. Rest of Asia Pacific
    • 8.4.5.1. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By End-user
      • 8.4.5.1.1. Line Fit
      • 8.4.5.1.2. Retrofit

9. Rest of the World Airborne SONAR Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2019-2032

• 9.1. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By Application
  • 9.1.1. Commercial
  • 9.1.2. Defense
• 9.2. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By Solution
  • 9.2.1. Hardware
    • 9.2.1.1. Transmitter
    • 9.2.1.2. Receiver
    • 9.2.1.3. Control Units
    • 9.2.1.4. Displays
    • 9.2.1.5. Sensors
      • 9.2.1.5.1. Ultrasonic Diffuse Proximity Sensors
      • 9.2.1.5.2. Ultrasonic Retro-reflective Sensors
      • 9.2.1.5.3. Ultrasonic Through-beam Sensors
      • 9.2.1.5.4. VME-ADC
      • 9.2.1.5.5. Others
    • 9.2.1.6. Others
  • 9.2.2. Software
• 9.3. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By End-user
  • 9.3.1. Line Fit
  • 9.3.2. Retrofit
• 9.4. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By sub-region
  • 9.4.1. Latin America
    • 9.4.1.1. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By End-user
      • 9.4.1.1.1. Line Fit
      • 9.4.1.1.2. Retrofit
  • 9.4.2. Middle East & Africa
    • 9.4.2.1. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By End-user
      • 9.4.2.1.1. Line Fit
      • 9.4.2.1.2. Retrofit

10. Competitive Analysis

• 10.1. Global Market Rank Analysis (2024)
• 10.2. Competition Dashboard
• 10.3. Company Profiles (Overview, Products & services, SWOT analysis, Recent developments, strategies, financials (based on availability)
  • 10.3.1. ASELSAN A.S. (Turkey)
  • 10.3.2. ATLAS ELEKTRONIK INDIA Pvt. Ltd. (India)
  • 10.3.3. DSIT Solutions Ltd. (Israel)
  • 10.3.4. EdgeTech (U.S.)
  • 10.3.5. FURUNO ELECTRIC CO., LTD. (Japan)
  • 10.3.6. Japan Radio Co. (Japan)
  • 10.3.7. KONGSBERG (Norway)
  • 10.3.8. Lockheed Martin Corporation (U.S.)
  • 10.3.9. L3Harris Technologies, Inc. (U.S.)
  • 10.3.10. NAVICO (Norway)
  • 10.3.11. Raytheon Technologies Corporation (U.S.)
  • 10.3.12. SONARDYNE (U.K.)
  • 10.3.13. Teledyne Technologies Incorporated. (U.S.)
  • 10.3.14. Thales Group (France)
  • 10.3.15. Ultra (U.K.)