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Forecast International is projecting sales of airborne
communications systems for the U.S. military to reach $2 billion over
the next 10 years. 66% of the total will be spent in the next five
years. The 2011-2015 time period makes up $687 million in projected
sales will undoubtedly be influenced by decisions related to Joint
Tactical Radio System (JTRS) related programs. The report predicts
that sales volumes could increase once the JTRS issue is resolved.
The report designates the leading U.S. military airborne
communications program as Integrated Communications, Navigation and
Identification Avionics (ICNIA) system. This program should
revolutionize aircraft avionics by combining the communications,
navigation, and identification functions into one lightweight,
space-saving module. ICNIA accounts for $514 million or 25.32 percent
of the market value in the study. Another significant program,
currently at research and development stage is the Tactical Targeting
Network Technology (TTNT), which will account for $439 million (21.63
percent of the report). Various RF Sensors and Countermeasures
Projects account for further $294.34 million (14.5%).
JTRS, has a significant impact on the U.S.
military communications market," said Electronics Analyst, Theresa
Hartley, author of the study. When JTRS requirements are clearly
defined, vendors are expected to develop new products or modify
existing hardware to meet these specifications. "When these JTRS
products are marketed, sales should take off." Hartle commented, Once
fully developed, JTRS will replace virtually all radios currently in
U.S. military service. Further spending is expected to upgrade
existing hardware to comply with JTRS waveforms. An example for such
modification is the Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS),
which is expected to bring in $415.6 million over 10 years. MIDS
accounts for approximately 20% of the market dollars in this analysis.
Two companies, Northrop Grumman and Rockwell Collins combined have at
least 49 percent of the market. This number would be even higher if
Rockwell Collins' share in Data Link Solutions (DLS) was broken out
and credited to it. DLS as a separate entity and MIDS manufacturer
enjoys 13.78 percent of the market or approximately $279.7 million in
expected sales over 10 years. Raytheon, ViaSat, and BAE Systems
complete the list of airborne communications major players.
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