Market Trends of Airborne LiDAR Industry
This section covers the major market trends shaping the Airborne LiDAR Market according to our research experts:
Aerospace & Defense to Hold the Largest Share
- The increasing investments by the regulatory bodies of the sector for the deployment of airborne lidars on aircraft, UAVs, and helicopters are expected to fuel the market growth over the forecast period. According to SIPRI, the United States led the list of countries with the highest military spending in 2021, with USD 801 billion dedicated to the military. This accounted for 38% of global military spending that year, which totaled 2.1 trillion US dollars.
- For instance, in November 2021, Evitado Technologies, a German startup, created a revolutionary system to prevent aircraft collisions. Their LiDAR technology can prevent aircraft damage caused by ground movement. A high-tech sensor system can be temporarily installed on an airplane or tow vehicles. The sophisticated system continuously monitors the area around the aircraft with a 360-degree field of view and alerts the operator for a high risk of collision.
- LiDAR technology is being used for 3D data capture for several applications. Detailed urban and non-urban terrain mapping can benefit military operations from the air and semi-autonomous vehicles. Swedish Defense Research Agency (FOI) has been working on demonstrating the possibilities for airborne sensor systems, especially 3D imaging lidar on different multi-rotor UAVs, for research and development purposes.
- Further, in July 2022, Fugro collaborated with the National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA) on the survey, which will be used to update nautical charts and improve coastal zone management. It has completed a hydrographic survey in Papua New Guinea to determine a safe passage through the Star Reef Passage. The company used its LADS HD+ Airborne Lidar Bathymetry (ALB) system, which was deployed by a team of surveyors from the NMSA and Fugro.
- Further, higher resolution systems are deployed to collect details to identify targets and movement through the forest canopies and other obstacles, such as Airborne Laser Mine Detection Systems (ALMDS) for counter-mine warfare. Short-range LiDARsrecognize the presence of gases and liquids and other bio-threats in hazardous locations. The ability to detect rapidly and respond in real time gives LiDAR technology a significant edge over the other conventional technologies implemented in the industry.
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North America is Expected to Hold Significant Share
- North America is one of the key developers of the technology, due to the increasing investments in accelerating innovations in the Airborne LiDAR landscape. These types of LiDAR systems are adopted by many industries, especially for application in engineering, construction, environment, and exploration, proving the effectiveness and, therefore, demand for this technology.
- Additionally, the increasing adoption of airborne lidars in archeology to identify the now-unpopulated landscape, ruins, and many more are expected to fuel the adoption of the technology in the region over the forecast period. As per the fiscal 2022 National Defense Authorization Act, Congress is granting the Missile Defense Agency authority to research and develop laser technology for use in ballistic and hypersonic missile defense applications.
- Some of the key players in the region have developed the technology that has provided them with a competitive advantage over others and the first mover's advantage. This is expected to fuel the growth of airborne lidars over the forecast period. Further, in March 2021, L3Harris Technologies has rewarded a contract to furnish eye-safe laser range finders (LRF) prototypes for the US Army's Abrams Gunner's Primary Sight. According to the company, the range finders allow the operator to establish ranges from inside the tank in battlefield conditions such as fog, smoke, dust, sand, and haze.
- Furthermore, in March 2021, Northrop Grumman was awarded a USD 72 million DoD (U.S. Department of Defense) contract through the High Energy Laser Scaling Initiative (HELSI) to demonstrate a high-energy laser prototype that will use Northrop Grumman's coherent beam combining technology.
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