Sonar Systems Market

A sonar system is a technology used for detecting and locating objects underwater by emitting sound waves and analyzing their echoes. The term "sonar" is an acronym for "sound navigation and ranging."

Sonar systems work by emitting a sound wave, which travels through the water and is reflected back by objects in its path. The system then analyzes the time it takes for the sound wave to return and the characteristics of the echo to determine the distance, size, and shape of the object.

There are two main types of sonar systems: active sonar and passive sonar. Active sonar systems emit a signal and then listen for the echo, while passive sonar systems only listen for sounds already present in the environment, such as the noise generated by a ship or submarine.

Current Market and Drivers

The Global Sonar Systems Market was valued at 6 billion USD in 2022, it is estimated to reach 6.92 billion USD by 2030 with a CAGR of 1.8% in the forecast period of 2023-2030. The market for sonar systems is driven by military ship deliveries, which are growing steadily. Some of the most cutting-edge sonar systems are used by military warships to achieve the highest level of precision. Sonar systems are employed on military ships for a variety of purposes, including diver detection, mine detection, seabed topography exploration, anti-submarine warfare, and port security. For example, submarines utilize passive sonar to enter enemy seas secretly, whereas frigates and corvettes use multi-static sonar to find the enemy. Different types of ships use different sonar for different purposes. The increase in military ship deliveries will create favorable conditions for the sonar systems market to expand during the next few years.

Furthermore, deep neural networks are used in the fish monitoring SONAR technology. In aquaculture farms, the need for fish monitoring is anticipated to increase due to the rise of fish resources. The deep neural network SONAR consists of an underwater optical camera and a high-precision imaging SONAR. The tool makes it possible to monitor fish farms at night and advances fish farming techniques. As a result, the market is driven ahead by rising demand for the system in aquaculture farms.

Major players in the Sonar Systems Market include Thales Group, ATLAS ELEKTRONIK GmbH, Raytheon Company, Lockheed Martin, L-3 Technologies Inc., and Ultra Electronics. Major players in the hydrographic sonar market include Kongsberg Gruppen ASA, Teledyne Technologies Inc., and Sonardyne. Navigation and fisheries sonars are provided by Furuno Electric Co., Ltd., Japan Radio Company, Navico, and FLIR Systems.

Some of the recent developments are as follows:

For testing purposes with the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), Kraken Robotics announced in October 2021 that it has inked a Robotics as a Service (RaaS) agreement with the Canadian government. According to the agreement, Kraken will incorporate a Kraken Light Weight SAS (LW-SAS) onboard an FDU-A REMUS 100 (AUV) and deploy its KATFISH towed SAS sonar system. By March 2022, the contract will be completed.

In July 2021, Leonardo placed an order with Cohort's wholly-owned subsidiary ELAC SONAR to support the Italian Navy's new U212 Near Future Submarines (NFS). For two new U212 NFS, ELAC will supply sonar systems, unique test and training equipment, and supporting technical services under the $58 million deal.

Market Segments

The Global Sonar Systems market is segmented based on Product Type, Application, platform, and solution type.

The market is divided into hull-mounted, stern-mounted, sonobuoy, and DDS segments based on the kind of product. The component that is mounted on the hull consists of omnidirectional SONAR, echo sounders, and forward-looking SONAR. The segment with hull mounting had the most shareholding. The growth is linked to the defense vessel's rising need for forward-looking SONAR. These technologies help regulate vessel traffic, which helps navy ships operate more effectively.

The market is segmented into commercial and defense applications. The commercial sector is predicted to increase most quickly. This growth is driven by the expanding demand for more hydrographic surveys, fish chirp SONARs, and overall ship delivery and retrofitting operations in the oil and gas survey industry.

This market is divided into ship type and airborne categories based on the platform. Defense and commercial ships are included in the section of ships. In 2022, it had the most market share. The demand for SONARs on gas tankers, bulk carriers, passenger cruise ships, research vessels, dry cargo, destroyers, and amphibious ships is driving the growth. Significant growth will be seen in the airborne category during the projection period.

The market is divided into hardware and software segments based on the solution. The hardware sector consists of things like sensors, alarms, displays, data storage units, and control units. Ultrasonic diffuse proximity sensors, ultrasonic retro-reflective sensors, ultrasonic through-beam sensors, VME-ADC, and other types of ultrasonic sensors make up the sensor section.

Major and Growing Geographies

The Asia-Pacific region has experienced unheard-of clashes and armed standoffs due to its geopolitical situation, particularly between the nations bordering the South China Sea. This has prompted numerous nations to buy new naval equipment and urged the upgrading of existing ships' capabilities. For instance, China has surpassed Russia as the country with the largest Navy in the world in terms of frigates and submarines because of the PLAN's massive naval fleet construction. The development of China's anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities, from coastal defense to blue-water operations, is another priority. To improve their situational awareness at sea, other nations are also expanding their spending on ASW gear like sonar systems.

The market in Europe is expected to be driven by the retrofitting of autonomous ship technologies in vessels and the introduction of cutting-edge threat detection and identification systems in naval ships. The market in the United Kingdom is anticipated to grow as a result of rising expenditure on maritime system upgrades. Due to the expansion of maritime trade and ship overhauling in the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, the rest of the world will experience moderate growth.

Conclusion

The Sonar Systems market is expected to experience significant growth in the coming years due to increasing demand from various industries, such as defense, oil and gas, and underwater exploration. The advancements in technology and the increasing investment in research and development activities have led to the development of more efficient and advanced sonar systems. However, the potential negative impact of sonar systems on marine life and the environment is a growing concern, and efforts are being made to mitigate these impacts. Overall, the Sonar Systems market is poised for growth and innovation as industries continue to seek new and improved ways of exploring and navigating the underwater world.