Market Trends of Europe Inertial Systems Industry
This section covers the major market trends shaping the Europe Inertial Systems Market according to our research experts:
Defense segment expected to account for a significant market
- Inertial systems utilize the outputs from accelerometers, gyroscopes, or magnetometers, to measure the motion and orientation of objects they are attached to on one, two, or three axes. These outputs can be used for various tactical and defense applications, including position tracking and navigation.
- Moreover, the IMU-equipped INS forms the backbone for the navigation and control of many military vehicles, such as crewed aircraft, missiles, submarines, etc. For defense applications, IMUs can be used for stabilization and control applications like aircraft flight surfaces, antenna and weapons platforms, and camera and sensor gimbals.
- The rising expenditures in defense in the region also create significant demand for the market. For instance, per the annual Defence Data report published by the European Defence Agency (EDA), total European defense spending reached a record high in 2021, marking a further 6% increase on the previous year and the seventh year of consecutive growth.
- Also, in September 2022, Collins Aerospace was awarded a multi-million-pound program as part of the United Kingdom's Weapons Sector Research Framework (WSRF) to develop a navigation-grade Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) for use in future complex weapons platforms.
- In collaboration with the Defence Science Technology Laboratory (DSTL), Collins aimed to develop a tactical grade or 'Class A' IMU using Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technology to advance the UK's Ministry of Defence (MOD) initiatives. Used for guidance and navigation on a broad range of multi-domain platforms, the new MEMS-based IMU was expected to ensure the desired performance while targeting a smaller form factor and lower cost than the RLG (Ring Laser Gyro) and FOG (Fibre Optic Gyro) solutions.
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Emergence of MEMS Technology will drive the Market
- Large size and high costs significantly constrained the large-scale adoption of inertial systems. There has been a paradigm shift in inertial systems manufacturing techniques after the turn of the century.
- The emergence of Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technology resulted in the miniaturization of mechanical and electro-mechanical elements in sensors and semiconductors through micro-fabrication and micro-machining techniques. MEMS has now become a fundamental part of future navigation systems.
- The growth in this technology has been driven by the growing pressure on contract manufacturers to reduce the size of inertial systems to make them suitable for broader applications. MEMS greatly supported the rapid increase in portable devices, as it offered enhanced capabilities within a small unit. The inertial MEMS market forecast predicts a dramatic rise in the volume of inertial MEMS devices over the coming years.
- The advancements in MEMS technology are not just restricted to niche and research-grade applications; several commercial-grade inertial systems have also been made available in the market. These devices are integrated with GPS-aiding tools to provide comprehensive navigation solutions.
- The surge in demand for electric vehicles in the region also creates significant opportunities for the market, as MEMS-based sensors are becoming increasingly essential for EVs. Inertial sensors are one of the most frequently used sensors in the EV industry. MEMS-based accelerometers can measure either static or dynamic vibration acceleration in EVs. Similarly, MEMS-based gyroscopes use vibrating objects and identify the change of angles.
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