Market Trends of Military Laser Systems Industry
The Directed Energy Weapons Segment Projected to Exhibit the Highest CAGR During the Forecast Period
Directed energy weapons (DEWs) offer a more cost-effective, high-speed, highly accurate method of countering aerial threats than using a highly expensive missile to destroy moderate-level threats, like small drones. The existing DEWs are focused on defensive functions such as safeguarding critical facilities against missiles, drones, and boats. Defense firms and organizations are investing in R&D to expand the current applications of DEWs.
The directed energy weapons segment will surge in the future due to the arms race between the global military powerhouses. DEWs will be equipped with combat platforms and deployed with conventional weapons by 2025. The United States has gradually begun installing the laser defense weapon system HELIOS (High Energy Laser and Integrated Optical-Dazzler with Surveillance) on its destroyers. These systems will enhance defense against hypersonic projectiles that can evade the AEGIS missile defense system, strengthening the military's aerial defense capabilities.
In October 2023, Lockheed Martin Corporation received a contract to create and supply a maximum of four 300 kW-class laser weapon systems to the US Army's Indirect Fire Protection Capability-High Energy Laser (IFPC-HEL) prototype initiative. The IFPC-HEL system is a supplementary element within a multi-layered defense framework designed to safeguard soldiers against various threats, including unmanned aerial systems, rockets, artillery, mortars, and rotary and fixed-wing aircraft. Such developments are expected to propel the segment's growth during the forecast period.
North America to Dominate the Market During the Forecast Period
North America is anticipated to show remarkable growth during the forecast period. The region's defense industry is mature and strongly supported by a robust R&D infrastructure. The US Department of Defense (DoD) requested around USD 669 million in FY2023 for unclassified research, testing, and evaluation and another USD 345 million for unclassified procurement.
In recent years, the United States has launched several programs to develop laser-based weapon technologies. The military aims to install laser-based weapon and defense systems on ground vehicles, ships, and aircraft. In September 2022, the US Army tested its first high-energy laser weapon from defense contractors Northrop Grumman Corporation and RTX Corporation. The US military is already using 100kW-150kW laser weapons and is developing more powerful 300kW laser weapons to counter supersonic cruise missiles. Such developments are expected to boost North America's market growth during the forecast period.
