Military Aircraft Digital Glass Cockpit Systems Market

Market Overview

The global military aircraft digital glass cockpit systems industry was valued at USD 561.74 million in 2023. It is estimated to reach USD 760.35 million by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 3.43% during the forecast period (2024–2032). A major factor driving the global market for military aircraft digital glass cockpit systems is the development of avionics, which improves situational awareness and operational effectiveness for pilots. The need for digital glass cockpit systems is also fueled by the growing emphasis on updating military fleets to enhance mission capability and save maintenance costs.

Digital glass cockpit systems for military aircraft are a revolutionary development in avionics technology, substituting digital displays and integrated systems for conventional analog instruments. Modern cockpits, sometimes referred to as electronic flight instrument systems (EFIS), use enormous LCD panels to clearly and intuitively display navigational data, system statuses, and critical flight data to pilots. Primary flight displays (PFDs), multifunction displays (MFDs), and engine indication and crew alerting systems (EICAS) are essential parts of the digital glass cockpit systems in military aircraft.

The PFDs offer flight parameters like altitude, airspeed, and attitude, while the EICAS system monitors engine performance and alerts the crew to any irregularities. Multifunction displays (MFDs) offer maps, mission-specific data, and customizable views of many systems. These cutting-edge cockpit systems facilitate smooth interaction with onboard sensors, communication systems, and weapons platforms while improving situational awareness and pilot workflow. Military pilots may handle complex operations more effectively and precisely by combining information into a single digital interface, ultimately improving mission success and operational performance.

Market Dynamics

Market Drivers

Growing Adoption of Multi-Functional Displays

Multi-functional displays (MFDs) are being adopted by the military aircraft digital glass cockpit systems industry at a significantly increasing rate. These sophisticated display systems combine a number of features into one easy-to-use interface, including sensor data, flight instrumentation, navigational aids, and mission-specific information. The increasing focus on improving situational awareness and operational efficiency in contemporary combat aircraft is one of the main forces behind this development. For example, Russia announced its new Checkmate fighter in July 2021; it is scheduled to fly for the first time in 2023 and go into series production in 2026. Along with a heads-up display as standard equipment, the cockpit has one large and numerous smaller color multi-function displays.

Similarly, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), India's forthcoming fifth-generation fighter aircraft, will include a multi-function display (MFD) oriented in portrait mode. MFDs provide pilots with a consolidated view of vital data, facilitating better mission execution and speedier decision-making. Moreover, MFDs' modular design simplifies and customizes them to meet changing mission needs and technology improvements. The need for multi-functional displays is anticipated to be strong as defense organizations worldwide continue to update their fleets, spurring additional innovation and growth in the military aircraft cockpit systems market.

Market Restraint

High Initial Investment

One major obstacle facing the military aircraft digital glass cockpit systems business is the hefty initial expenditure requirements. Modern cockpit system implementation comes at a high cost because of the requirements for research and development, integration, testing, and certification. The strict regulations controlling military aviation, which need extensive testing and validation processes to guarantee safety and dependability in challenging operating settings, increase these costs.

Costs are further increased by the need for complicated avionics systems that can handle a variety of tasks like combat operations, surveillance, and reconnaissance due to the intricacy of military aircraft missions. Stakeholders acknowledge that, even with the significant initial outlay, updating cockpit equipment has long-term advantages such as better pilot performance, expanded mission capabilities, and lower lifetime costs due to higher operational efficiency and fewer maintenance needs. Such factors hinder market growth.

Market Opportunities

Technological Advancements

Technological breakthroughs in military aircraft digital glass cockpit systems have revolutionized how pilots engage with aircraft and handle missions. Developments in avionics software have made it possible to create user interfaces and adjustable cockpit layouts, giving pilots the ability to customize displays to suit their needs and tastes. This adaptability improves pilot comfort and effectiveness, enabling quicker mission execution and decision-making. For example, CMC Electronics' avionics designers are developing a family of avionics display systems to operate across the spectrum of military aircraft, from modern helicopters and flight trainers to high-performance aircraft in advanced development, based on a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technology base.

The company's corporate vice president for military aviation, Robert Atac, points to the new integrated glass cockpit, Cockpit 4000, qualified for the jet trainer market, including export sales to Korea and other countries. The Sugar Grove facility was formerly Flight Visions Inc., which CMC acquired in 2001. According to Atac, bench tests for the digital head-up display are now being completed. Moreover, the integration of head-up display (HUD) and augmented reality (AR) technology into cockpit systems is another major technological advancement. Through AR, digital data is superimposed into the pilot's field of vision, including targets, flight paths, and topographical characteristics, all of which are important pieces of information. In contrast, HUDs minimize the need for pilots to avert their eyes from the outside world by projecting crucial flight information directly onto the cockpit windshield.

Regional Analysis

Based on region, the global military aircraft digital glass cockpit systems industry is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. 

North America's military aircraft digital glass cockpit systems industry share is expected to expand substantially during the forecast period. Driven by technological innovation, large defense budgets, and high demand for cutting-edge avionics solutions, the North American military aircraft digital glass cockpit systems business is a major player in the global defense technology market. To retain technological superiority and operational readiness, nations such as the United States and Canada prioritize modernizing their military fleets. A constant push is made to upgrade outdated cockpit systems to cutting-edge digital glass cockpit designs as part of these initiatives.

For example, the C-130H fleet of the Air Force Reserve Command recently started the shift from analog to digital as testing on a significant avionics system upgrade got underway. The nearly 60-year-old aircraft's avionics and navigation systems have been significantly improved by the update, known as Avionics Modernization Program Increment 2. This is expected to propel regional market growth.

Furthermore, leading-edge avionics technology development is led by North America's aerospace and defense contractors. These developments increase the sophistication and efficiency of digital glass cockpit systems, including high-resolution multifunction displays, augmented reality interfaces, sophisticated flight management systems, and improved connection features. For example, NASA specialists are converting the Space Shuttle orbiter's cockpit to a glass cockpit using readily available commercial hardware, like PowerPC computers and liquid-crystal screens. The market for military aircraft avionics, particularly digital glass cockpit systems, is mostly driven by government procurement programs like the U.S. Department of Defense's purchasing projects. The region's sector grows due to contracts given to defense companies for the research, manufacture, and maintenance of cutting-edge cockpit equipment.

Segmental Analysis

The global military aircraft digital glass cockpit systems industry is bifurcated into systems, aircraft types, and applications.

Based on systems, the global military aircraft digital glass cockpit systems industry is segmented into engine-indicating and crew alerting system (EICAS) displays, multi-functional display systems, and primary flight displays.

In military aircraft, digital glass cockpit systems, such as the Engine Indicating and Crew Alerting System (EICAS) displays, are essential for giving pilots detailed information regarding engine performance and important alerts while in flight. EICAS displays are known for their innovative graphical representations and incredibly intuitive interfaces, which enable quick comprehension of complex data. These displays provide real-time monitoring of engine characteristics, including RPM, temperature, pressure, fuel flow, and other crucial metrics. Pilots may swiftly evaluate engine health and performance with the help of EICAS displays, which give the information in an easy-to-understand format. This allows pilots to make necessary modifications or take corrective action on time. EICAS displays are the main tool for warning pilots of any anomalous situations or system failures and monitoring the Engine. Thanks to sophisticated algorithms and sensor inputs, EICAS systems can identify and prioritize a wide range of alerts, from little anomalies to serious emergencies.

Based on aircraft types, the global military aircraft digital glass cockpit systems industry is segmented into fighter jets, helicopters and special missions, and transport aircraft.

Fighter aircraft have been the first to use modern digital glass cockpit systems because of their high operational demands, which include improved situational awareness and mission performance. Fighter pilots can handle complicated missions and perform well in dangerous circumstances with the help of these systems, which provide an intuitive and thorough interface. Fighter jets that use digital glass cockpit systems often have high-resolution multifunctional displays that consolidate mission-specific data, sensor readings, status updates on weapon systems, and other flying data into one main interface. This technology allows pilots to see their surroundings in real-time, which improves their decision-making and mission execution.

Based on applications, the global military aircraft digital glass cockpit systems industry is bifurcated into mission planning, navigation and control of the aircraft, sensor data processing, threat detection and response, and weapons management.

Navigation and control features are essential to military aircraft digital glass cockpit systems. Digital glass cockpit systems combine a variety of sensors, navigational aids, and data sources to give pilots precise situational awareness and navigational skills. Inertial navigation systems (INS) for continuous navigation in GPS-denied situations, radar or terrain databases for terrain-following and terrain-avoidance features, and GPS (Global Positioning System) receivers for precise location determination are typical examples of these systems. Navigational information can be presented in various clear and complete ways, including moving map displays and synthetic vision displays, thanks to integrating these navigation components within the glass cockpit. It is easier for pilots to see where their aircraft is in relation to waypoints, airspace limits, topography, and other pertinent navigational cues. This makes navigation safer and more effective, particularly in difficult or hostile settings.

Recent Developments

• February 2024 - Honeywell declared its collaboration with ST Engineering Defence Aviation Services (STEDAS) to provide advanced cockpit and mechanical component enhancements for two C-130 aircraft belonging to the Tunisian Air Force (TAF). This marks the initial incorporation of a Honeywell Aerospace Technologies solution into STEDAS' range of offerings. The TAF selected Honeywell's Cockpit Display System Retrofit (CDSR) glass cockpit technology, which offers several advanced enhancements compared to the older C-130 systems. These features encompass digital instruments, a versatile multi-functional display (MFD), and a wide range of additional devices such as the RDR7000 weather radar, a Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), and sophisticated flying controls.