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The military aerial refueling tanker market size is forecast to increase by USD 4.21 billion, at a CAGR of 7.01% between 2024 and 2028. The aerospace sector is witnessing a shift toward next-generation long-range strike platforms through a joint development/acquisition approach. This strategy aims to synergize expertise and resources for advanced capabilities. Central to these innovations is optimizing operational efficiency, including the measured quantity of fuel onboard to enhance performance. By strategically managing fuel levels, these platforms maximize mission endurance and operational range, crucial for sustained operations in diverse environments. This approach underscores a holistic focus on integrating cutting-edge technology with collaborative efforts, ensuring that future long-range strike capabilities meet stringent performance criteria while adapting to evolving operational requirements.
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Military modernization efforts focus extensively on enhancing aerial refueling systems to bolster extended range and endurance of military aircraft. These systems play a pivotal role in augmenting operational capabilities, facilitating strategic airlift and rapid deployment for missions worldwide. Advanced technologies like Flying boom systems and Probe and drogue systems enable efficient fuel transfer between tanker aircraft and diverse manned and autonomous platforms such as fighter jets and bombers. This capability supports strategic deployments and overseas deployment of defense forces, ensuring sustained operational readiness. As part of military modernization, the continuous development of Multipoint Refueling System (MPRS) and upgrades to iconic platforms like the KC-135 aircraft reinforce global air superiority..
The joint development/acquisition approach is notably driving market growth. Maintaining combat-ready force for uncertain security challenges often requires the development and acquisition of new and technologically advanced equipment and war platforms. However, this phenomenon brings a significant burden on a budget of a particular nation. Therefore, many countries are showing interest in the joint development/acquisition approach that helps diminish the capital load and operating expenses in the host country. The joint development program allows countries to share technical knowledge and resources, which can help relatively less technologically developed countries to transform their technical skill sets.
Similarly, the joint acquisition program also helps collaborating countries to set a common target toward specific defense or security needs while maintaining a lesser burden on a participating country. In July 2016, the Netherlands and Luxembourg jointly signed a contract for the acquisition of two A330 MRTT tankers from Airbus. These two participating countries are strategizing on extending their collaboration with other European countries. Therefore, such collaborative efforts are expected to bring significant alteration in the existing acquisition approach, which will propel the global military aerial refueling tanker market during the forecast period.
Key Military Aerial Refueling Tanker Market Trend
Growing investments in multi-layered air defense network is the primary trend in the market. The increasing investments in achieving integrated air defense capabilities among countries such as the US, Russia, and China have been playing a pivotal role in the modernization of existing fighter aircraft fleets. Similarly, operating against countries that are capable of deploying advanced anti-access offensive weapon systems, like cruise and ballistic missiles, have encountered the need to develop and operate long-range airborne surveillance and strike platforms.
Moreover, China has been investing in the development of a multi-layered air defense network to counter threats arising from the US and allied air forces. In 2013, China inducted an updated variant of the H-6 medium-range bomber, namely the Xian H-6K, for long-range attacks and standoff attacks. China also operates the aerial refueling version of Xian H-6K strategic bombers, namely Xian H-6U. The country is investing in the enhancement of the existing performance capability of its Xian H-6U tankers by replacing the payload bay (fitted in the fuselage) with additional fuel tanks that can reflect augmented fuel-carrying capacity to support aerial surveillance and attack platforms. The investment in such fighter and tanker aircraft will support the growth of the global military aerial refueling tanker market during the forecast period.
Key Military Aerial Refueling Tanker Market Challenge
The development of unmanned jet tankers is the major challenge impeding the market growth. The US Navy had long been experimenting with the Unmanned Carrier-launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) program targeted toward the development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). The program was merged in debates over the specialized function of these UAVs - either in strike or Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) roles.
However, this new UAV or drone will exhibit limited combat and ISR capabilities, and it will primarily function as an aerial tanker for refueling other aircraft in mid-air. This project was adopted to address the US Navy's expected shortfall of fighter jets, as several F/A-18E/F are currently employed for tanking purposes. A significant portion of the investment is being directed toward the research and development of carrier-based unmanned aerial tankers, which can refuel combat aircraft during missions over long ranges across oceans and continents. With the successful development and induction of these unmanned jet tankers, which will be remotely controlled, the focus on manned aerial refueling tankers is likely to get clouded.
The market forecasting report includes the adoption lifecycle of the market, covering from the innovator’s stage to the laggard’s stage. It focuses on adoption rates in different regions based on penetration. Furthermore, the report also includes key purchase criteria and drivers of price sensitivity to help companies evaluate and develop their market growth analysis strategies.
Customer Landscape
Companies are implementing various strategies, such as strategic alliances, partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, geographical expansion, and product/service launches, to enhance their presence in the market.
Parker Hannifin Corp. - The company offers military aerial refueling tankers such as Lockheed L1011 Tristar. Through the diversified industrial segment, the company manufactures motion-control and fluid power system components for builders and users of various types of manufacturing, packaging, processing, transportation, agricultural, construction, and military vehicles and equipment.
The market research and growth report also includes detailed analyses of the competitive landscape of the market and information about key companies, including:
Qualitative and quantitative analysis of companies has been conducted to help clients understand the wider business environment as well as the strengths and weaknesses of key market players. Data is qualitatively analyzed to categorize companies as pure play, category-focused, industry-focused, and diversified; it is quantitatively analyzed to categorize companies as dominant, leading, strong, tentative, and weak.
The market share growth by the probe and drogue segment will be significant during the forecast period. The probe-and-drogue approach uses a trailing hose, which has a basket or a drogue at the end. In this approach, the tanker engineers are required to unspool a long hose from either the wing tips or below the fuselage. Once the hose is extended to the fullest, the receiving pilot maneuvers a retractable probe mounted on the aircraft nose into the drogue of the aerial refueling tanker. This approach has many advantages over its counterpart, i.e., the tankers equipped with probe-and-drogue systems can allow the refueling of three aircraft at once (however, as a standard practice, two aircraft are allowed to get refueled at one go). Due to operational flexibility and ease of use, such an approach is prevalent among the naval forces in many countries, especially in North America and European countries.
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The probe and drogue segment was valued at USD 5.59 billion in 2018. Defense forces of these nations make use of the drogue system, which is capable of delivering a flexible transfer rate of refueling. Usually, this type of military aerial refueling tanker is fitted with one boom, which requires integration with the fuselage to make an easy design work. The integration of drogue systems does not involve many complexities. Besides, this approach requires fewer dedicated operators. Owing to these advantages, multiple drogue systems can be fitted into a large refueling aircraft, which can facilitate the aerial refueling of combat and surveillance aircraft, as well as military helicopters. This approach is suitable for conditions wherein numerous small combat aircraft must be refueled to remain airborne and accomplish missions.
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APAC is estimated to contribute 38% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period. Technavio’s analysts have elaborately explained the regional trends and drivers that shape the market during the forecast period. The changing nature of warfare has led the US DoD to make a strategic move toward the development of long-range strike platforms, which have supported the deployment of aerial refueling aircraft. Also, any shortfall in the availability of international airbases can become a major challenge for the USAF in operating against both sophisticated and asymmetric adversaries. Simultaneously, both China and Russia are investing in enhancing their anti-access/area-denial capabilities (an area-denial strategy is exercised by the use of advanced integrated weapons that prevents an adversary from traversing an area of land). These pose potential threats to the US in maintaining stable dominance in the Western Pacific region. Therefore, the need to deploy advanced aerial refueling tankers for aiding the airborne platforms (both surveillance and attack) of the US has become paramount.
The market research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in "USD billion " for the period 2024-2028, as well as historical data from 2018 - 2022 for the following segments.
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In the realm of aerospace and defense, advancements in advanced hose and drogue and boom refueling technologies are crucial amid geopolitical tensions and the imperative to support established aerospace and defense operations. Companies like Collins Aerospace lead innovations in autonomous and unmanned refueling, catering to the evolving needs of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). These technologies enhance the capability of military aerial refueling tankers equipped with fuel transfer booms, ensuring efficient support for military operations worldwide. Air to air refueling capabilities are essential for both military aerial refuelling tanker and Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), supporting commercial and defense operations alike.
Moreover, the defense industry is addressing challenges posed by aging fleets through the integration of autonomous refueling capabilities, optimizing the performance of manned aircraft, fixed wing aircraft, and rotary wing aircraft during joint military operations. Components such as pumps, valves, nozzles, hoses, probes, and pods are critical in enabling seamless air-to-air refueling operations, enhancing mission endurance and operational flexibility across diverse theaters of operation. As technology continues to evolve, these advancements underscore the pivotal role of aerospace innovations in global defense strategies.
Market Scope |
|
Report Coverage |
Details |
Page number |
171 |
Base year |
2023 |
Historic period |
2018 - 2022 |
Forecast period |
2024-2028 |
Growth momentum & CAGR |
Accelerate at a CAGR of 7.01% |
Market growth 2024-2028 |
USD 4.21 billion |
Market structure |
Fragmented |
YoY growth 2023-2024(%) |
6.43 |
Regional analysis |
North America, APAC, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America |
Performing market contribution |
APAC at 38% |
Key countries |
US, China, France, UK, and India |
Competitive landscape |
Leading Companies, Market Positioning of Companies, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks |
Key companies profiled |
Airbus SE, BAE Systems Plc, Bandak Aviation Inc., Cobham Ltd., Dassault Aviation SA, Draken International, LLC, Eaton Corp. Plc, Embraer SA, General Electric Co., Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd., Liebherr International Deutschland GmbH, Lockheed Martin Corp., Marshall of Cambridge Holdings Ltd., Omega Aerial Refueling Services Inc., Parker Hannifin Corp., Protankgrup, Rostec, Safran SA, Smiths Group Plc, and The Boeing Co. |
Market dynamics |
Parent market analysis, Market forecasting growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, Market condition analysis for the forecast period |
Customization purview |
If our market report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized. |
1 Executive Summary
2 Market Landscape
3 Market Sizing
4 Historic Market Size
5 Five Forces Analysis
6 Market Segmentation by Technology
7 Market Segmentation by Type
8 Customer Landscape
9 Geographic Landscape
10 Drivers, Challenges, and Opportunity/Restraints
11 Competitive Landscape
12 Competitive Analysis
13 Appendix
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