Market Trends of Digital Glass Military Aircraft Cockpit Systems Industry
This section covers the major market trends shaping the Military Aircraft Digital Glass Cockpit Systems Market according to our research experts:
Growing Adoption of Multi-Functional Displays
The adoption of multi-functional displays has been increasing in military aircraft, as they offer several advantages to pilots. Modern military aircraft cockpits feature all-glass, large-format multi-functional displays to improve video and imaging options so that pilots can view multiple video sources ranging from external display processors and video sensors, including FLIR, radar, weapons, and cameras, based on their requirements. Newer-generation military aircraft are incorporating various multi-functional displays to enhance pilot situational awareness. For instance, in July 2021, Russia officially unveiled its new Checkmate fighter, which is expected to take its first flight in 2023, with series production to begin in 2026. The cockpit features one large and several smaller color multi-function displays with a standard heads-up display. Also, India's upcoming 5th generation fighter aircraft, Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), will feature a multi-function display (MFD) placed in portrait orientation. On the other hand, many military aircraft avionics modernization and upgrade projects are being undertaken worldwide, which is expected to drive the adoption of next-generation multi-functional displays. India plans to upgrade 200 Sukhoi 30 MKI combat aircraft that have been in service for over 20 years. The Super Sukhoi standard upgrade for Indian aircraft will include locally manufactured radars, a full-glass cockpit, and flight-control computers. Thus the growing adoption of multi-functional displays in military cockpits is expected to drive the market during the forecast period.
North America has Largest Revenue Share
The North American region currently dominates the market and is expected to continue its dominance over the market during the forecast period. It was mainly due to the US Department of Defense's plans for the procurement and modernization of military aircraft. The country has plans to procure several new generation fighters, special mission aircraft, and helicopters, which incorporate advanced digital glass cockpit systems due to the growing focus on enhancing pilot situational awareness. Such investments in the aircraft fleet will propel the growth of this region during the forecast period. For instance, the United States has plans to procure 1,763 F-35As for the Air Force, 353 F-35Bs and 67 F-35Cs for the Marine Corps, and 273 F-35Cs for the Navy. The aircraft features a digital panoramic cockpit touchscreen display that replaces most of the switches and toggles found in an aircraft cockpit.
On the other hand, the country focuses on digital upgrades to the avionics systems onboard other major platforms. For instance, the US Army is focusing on modernizing its fleet of Black Hawk helicopters from a UH-60L to a UH-60V by incorporating a modern, digital cockpit, replacing analog gauges with digital electronic instrument displays. In April 2021, Northrop Grumman announced that the UH-60V Black Hawk, with its digital cockpit suite and OpenLift architecture, was granted an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Airworthiness Release for the helicopter as the program enters a second initial operational test and evaluation phase. Such programs for the modernization of existing cockpits with advanced glass cockpit technologies are expected to drive the growth of the market in the region during the forecast period.
