Sonar Systems Market Size, Share, Opportunities, COVID-19 Impact, And Trends By Type Hull-Mounted, Stern-Mounted, Sonobuoy, Dipping Sonar, Others), By Technology (Active, Passive), By Application (Commercial, Defense), And By Geography - Forecasts From 2023 To 2028

Market Overview:

SONAR (sound navigation and ranging) is a technique that uses sound waves to find and map out objects and landscapes in the surroundings. The Sonar System Market is expected to be driven by improvements in the anti-submarine warfare capabilities of various naval forces throughout the world, as well as increased use of these systems in the research industry for seabed mapping reasons. Furthermore, due to their superior sensing capabilities, unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) are growing into feasible technologies capable of innovating and transforming anti-submarine warfare (ASW). These systems include active sonar systems, which are extremely useful for gathering data to identify, characterize, and track adversary/enemy submarines at long distances. As a result, the rapid expansion of the worldwide naval fleet is likely to drive demand for new and sophisticated sonar systems.

Growth factors:

The defense sector is projected to have a large contribution.

Sonar devices are widely utilized in naval combat because they detect mines and aid in anti-submarine warfare. Most countries are modernizing their naval fleets in order to increase their maritime capabilities. For example, India's Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) opened a new testing and evaluation center for Indian Navy sonar systems in November 2022. This newly launched facility is known as the Hull Module of Submersible Platform for Acoustic Characterization and Evaluation (SPACE). The SPACE facility will primarily test and evaluate sonar equipment aboard various types of naval vessels, including submarines, warships, and maritime planes or helicopters. In addition, Raytheon Technologies Corp. counter-mine experts were asked to provide deploy and retrieve systems for the US Navy's AN/AQS-20 mine-hunting sonar system under a $10.8 million deal announced in May 2022. The AN/AQS-20 detects and classifies threat mines in real time using imaging sonar, signal processing, electro-optical sensors, and computer algorithms. It automatically locates mine-like objects and displays a visual image as well as a contact data list to the operator. All mission data is saved for further examination.

The use of synthetic aperture sonar in UUVs will boost market growth.

The increased use of unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV) is likely to drive market expansion. Ship hull inspection, wreck inspection, ocean floor mapping, hydrothermal vent identification, underwater exploration, oceanic research, and mining are just a few of the applications for underwater drones. Synthetic aperture sonar, which combines acoustic signals to generate a high along-track resolution image of the target, is used by UUVs. Furthermore, because of their capabilities such as minesweeping, intelligence collection, surveillance, reconnaissance, and submarine combat, UUVs play an important part in naval warfare. For example, in December 2022, HII successfully demonstrated the launch and recovery of a large Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) in partnership with the US Navy. Kraken Robotics' synthetic aperture sonar (SAS) technology will be the standard payload offered on Huntington Ingalls Industry's (HII) new REMUS 620 Medium Class unmanned undersea vehicle (UUV). iXblue was also picked by Ifremer, the French National Institute for Ocean Science, to equip its new 6000-meter Autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV). The AUV is outfitted with a cutting-edge Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS), Sams-150, a Phins C7 Inertial Navigation System (INS), a sub-bottom profiler Echoes 5 000, and the Delph Software suite from iXblue for SAS and navigation post-processing. Such activities and investments in the development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UUVs) with SAS are projected to enhance the Sonar System Market.

Key Developments: 

• September 2022: At the DX Korea 2022 exhibition in September, Korean defense SMEs SonarTech and Thales inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in in-depth research and development in mine warfare sonar systems. Thales will provide operational knowledge in the field of high-frequency Variable Depth sonar (VDS) for mine warfare sonar systems through this MoU. SonarTech will contribute its technical knowledge of underwater acoustic products and mine warfare hull-mounted sonar inboard electronics.
• May 2022: Seafloor System has introduced a new Multibeam Sonar System. The SeaRAY Seafloor multibeam sonar system is designed for a wide range of hydrographic survey applications. Its small footprint allows for easy integration on uncrewed surface vessels, from which it can be moved into ponds, lakes, rivers, and dredge pits. A hydrodynamic, energy-efficient design maximizes battery power usage, extending survey longevity in the field.
• December 2020: Wärtsilä ELAC Nautik GmbH was acquired by Cohort plc, an independent technology business, in December 2020. ELAC SONAR will add cutting-edge technology to the surface ship and submarine sonars, underwater communication systems, and echo sounders to the Cohort Group's maritime defence system offering. With the other Cohort subsidiaries, the company combines highly complementary experiences, skills, and technologies, creating an enormous opportunity to benefit consumers.

Covid-19 Impact on the Sonar Systems Market

COVID-19 has had the greatest impact on nearly every market segment. The lockdown effect caused a moderate reduction in the growth graph of the Sonar Systems and Technology Market. The lockdown rules and regulations have had a negative influence on various operational services. It hampered manufacturing operations and the production process, as well as interrupted shipping supply lines. Additionally, the export of military and commercial vessels to a number of countries had been reduced. The important stakeholders devise measures to recoup financial losses before the anticipated period.

Sonar Systems Market Scope:

Segmentation:

• By type
  • Hull-Mounted
  • Stern-Mounted
  • Sonobuoy
  • Dipping Sonar
  • Others
• By technology
  • Active
  • Passive
• By application
  • Commercial
  • Defense
• By Geography
  • North America
    • USA
    • Canada
    • Mexico
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Others
  • Europe
    • UK
    • Germany
    • France
    • Italy
    • Others
  • Middle East and Africa
    • Saudi Arabia
    • UAE
    • Others
  • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • Japan
    • India
    • South Korea
    • Others