Directed Energy Weapons Market

Market Overview

The global directed energy weapons market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 25.45% between 2017–2027.

Weapons that utilize directed energy to attack a target are known as direct energy weapons. Directed energy is the most resistant course of action, which uses centered lasers, molecule bars, microwaves, and soundbars to transform energy into damaging power. Its capacity to focus vast amounts of energy on a target makes it ideal for knocking down drones, missiles, and other weaponry. This innovation's potential purposes include workforce focusing on weaponry, missiles, vehicles, and optical gadgets.

Market Dynamics

A Rise in Investments for the Weapon's Military Applications to Foster the Market

The biggest application area for these weapons is in defense. The last few years witnessed an ascent in the tactical spending by states around the world, which is a significant justification behind the development of the market. With the rise in terrorist activities, nations need a cutting edge and exceptionally proficient safeguarding gear to protect the citizens of their nation.

Powerful nations all over the globe are currently focusing on the progression of their military activities as it is one of the pivotal pointers for a strong country. Besides, public safety has become a significant component to focus on, prompting the extra need for better military platforms. Funding from the private sector of different economies has increased considerably, driving special interest for the directed energy weapons market.

As indicated by the World Bank, powerful nations like the US, the UK, China, Russia, and Israel have expanded their military expenditure throughout the long term. The US is in the lead, trailed by China. In addition, the US had the most noteworthy development of military weaponry, particularly beginning around 2017.

The tactical use of different economies is straightforwardly corresponding to the interest in super-advanced weaponry, for example, directed energy weapons. This is crucial to keep their military platforms best in class, preparing for a huge industry development during the forecast period.

Unbending Directives to Distribute Defense Weaponry to Stunt the Market Growth

It is critical to note that DEW is a weapon. Henceforth, improvement and developments of any weapon need to go through thorough strict guidelines, testing, and confirmations. Weapons development is an extremely unpredictable industry, and every nation manages it cautiously to prohibit it from falling into the wrong hands. An absence of guidelines could escalate nuclear weapons, representing a significant danger to world security. 

However, these guidelines can be a bottleneck in market development, hindering the distribution of these weapons globally. This is expected to prompt the availability issues, which is an immediate block to the market development. Additionally, since the defense sector is government-controlled, continuous administrative changes and requests are made. 

The purchaser base for these items is normally the central government and military offices. These clients are fundamentally intrigued by country security and public safety—instead of using them for business purposes. Accordingly, organizations could have to play by explicit guidelines that make the availability of these weapons a problem, hampering the market further.

Growing Initiatives for Product Development to Create More Opportunities

A significant piece of the budget is spent on the R&D of new technologies that are further utilized to improve arms, ammunition, safeguard systems, and direct attack weapons. Every one of the significant countries is spending intensely on improving AI-based technologies like the DEWs. Likewise, Governments are empowering privately owned businesses to take charge in developing advanced weaponry.

This shows an incredible chance of additional growth in DEWs and expansion in other applications areas such as business. Besides, the appeal for effective and innovative military devices is rising due to increasing terror attacks worldwide. There are many purposes for this interest. New opportunities are emerging with the modernization and innovation of military platforms, which is expected to prompt an up-gradation of the current weapon frameworks with directed energy weapons.

Segmental Analysis

Based on laser type, the global directed energy weapon market is segmented into fiber and chemical. The fiber segment has acquired a major market share as they are portable, battery-operated non-lethal weapons that one person can carry. They can be utilized to control crowds, disable vehicles, drones, boats, aircraft, etc. This segment is expected to grow at an elevated CAGR of 26.87% during the forecast time frame.

Based on application, the directed energy weapon market is segmented into homeland security and military. The military sector is expected to grow at a higher CAGR of 26.03% due to its wide variety of applications in the military sector. Its technology is so developed that it can fire down a drone or fighter plane from a considerable distance without causing any collateral damage.

By platform type, the directed energy weapon market is segmented into land, airborne, and naval and space. Directed energy weapons used in the Naval and Space Platform are part of next-generation weaponry. It can engage and defeat targets at ranges that cannot be compared to the current weaponry in use. This segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 25.33% by 2027.

Based on product, the directed energy weapon market is divided into lethal weapons and non-lethal weapons. The lethal weapons sector is predicted to grow at an elevated CAGR of 26.16% by 2027.

Based on range, the directed energy weapon market is divided into less than 1 km and more than 1 km. Directed energy weapons are energetic devices used to target the most vulnerable parts of the enemy. Some laser weapons, microwave weapons, plasma weapons, and particle beam weapons are generally more than 1 km. Hence, this segment acquires the largest market share and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 25.96%.

Impact of covid-19

Before the pandemic, the defense sector was manufacturing and maintaining military weapons systems, subsystems, and parts. They had bagged many advanced projects based on directed energy weapons by collaborating with other weapon or mechanical organizations. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the projects were postponed. There was a brief closure of production units, but they were given the approval to resume production since these are defense-related gear.

Post COVID-19 pandemic, the interest for directed energy weapons is ascending because the states and privately owned businesses worldwide have been putting resources into the advancement of these types of weapons, mostly to be utilized in the war zone. A significant pattern that shapes the market and the public authority is contributing to expanding research on improved directed energy weapons. One organization that has been exceptionally dynamic in advancing the use of such weapons is C-LAS.

Market Recovery Timeline and its Challenges

The market is recuperating by consistently expanding ventures through direct capital infusions like investments, loans, and grants, increasing activity through public-private partnerships, and increasing direct government spending on public-use assets such as heavy infrastructure facilities. The development of the market will be aided by lowering costs like taxes and other duties and giving government incentives on the production of directed energy weapons.

The difficulties faced by the directed energy weapons market are the necessity of general capital use for innovative technologies that are mature enough to implement, long-distance targeting, and the absence of a full-proof framework for military applications.

Regional Analysis

Significant Growth in Asia-Pacific and Europe

The directed energy weapons in government offices are developing, explicitly in the North American region. Directed energy weapons are utilized to annihilate or impair a target without causing significant harm to the encompassing region. This weapon can obliterate weapons of mass destruction and atomic offices without hurting the surrounding regions and the people. The US Branch of Defense and the US Armed force have embraced guided energy weapons to counter long-range missiles. Other military powers likewise utilize these in the regions like Canada and Mexico.

The states in Asia-Pacific have been advancing the directed energy weapon market in the region to guarantee the security of their residents. Moreover, they have been using directed energy weapons for military applications. The governments in the area are working on government grants and strategies to help the local market development. The public authority of Japan has chosen to support the energy security drive by giving USD 100 million assets to fund the sending of directed energy weapon frameworks around the country. This association is driven by the Japanese Ministry of Economic, Trade, and Industry. It means advancing the innovation of directed energy weapon frameworks and sending them to foster a more secure and safer climate. The association desires to introduce 150 weapon frameworks in the following five years.

Recent Developments

• September 2021 – Bae Systems announced a partnership with Thales UK to develop the futuristic Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) capability as part of the MOD's Novel Weapons Program.
• March 2021 – BAE Systems Australia announced that it would raise its investment in Australia to help the country create a high-speed weapons capability rapidly.
• April 2020 – BAE Systems announced the development of APKWS Laser-Guided Rockets that enable warfighters to make economic, precision strikes.
• September 2021 – Thales group announced a new product of directed energy weapons. It is a high-powered laser and radiofrequency weapon offered to the UK armed forces. This laser consortium will include BAE Systems, Chess Dynamics, Vision4CE, IPG. The other consortium members include Teledyne e2v, QinetiQ, and Horiba Mira.
• November 2021 – L3HARRIS announced the opening of a 330,000-square-foot purpose-built facility in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Currently, 1,250 staff are benefiting from the expanded space.
• October 2021 – L3HARRIS announced the launch of the new solution, the L3Harris Compact Pointer High-Accuracy Range Finder (CPHAR), which delivers the tactical edge essential for mission success.

Directed Energy Weapons Market Segmentation

By Laser Type

• Fiber
• Chemical

By Application

• Homeland Security
• Military

By Platform

• Land
• Airborne
• Naval space

By Product

• Lethal Weapons
• Non-lethal Weapons

By Range

• Less than 1 km
• More than 1 km

By Regions

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• Latin America
• The Middle East and Africa