Attitude and Heading Reference Systems Market Overview
Attitude and Heading Reference Systems Market size was valued at USD 723.8 Million in 2022. The Attitude and Heading Reference Systems industry is projected to grow USD 1397.2 Million by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.09% during the forecast period (2022 - 2032).
Attitude and heading reference systems (AHRS) enable pilots to operate aircraft efficiently and safely. AHRS provides vital information about aircraft, including roll, pitch, and yaw. Moreover, the AHRS are widely used in military aircraft to carry out military missions efficiently. AHRS is also used in UAVs by military agencies globally.
Global Attitude and Heading Reference Systems Market has witnessed high growth in recent years owing to the increasing defense expenditures, growing passenger traffic, and a significant rise in demand for new aircraft. However, the higher time consumption in AHRS initialization is expected to restrict the market growth to some extent. The increasing need for attitude and heading reference systems to increase efficiency and safety of operations
Market Drivers
Globally, military spending has increased significantly in recent years. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), global military expenditure rose by 2.6% to approximately USD 1.82 trillion from 2017 to 2019. The increase in defense expenditure is expected to boost the demand for technologically advanced aircraft such as fighter jets, UAVs, and helicopters, which is also expected to drive the demand for attitude and heading reference systems during the review period.
Market Opportunities
Integration of AHRS with GPSCommercialization of unmanned aerial vehicles
Recent News :
In April 2024, Exail, a company located in the UK, has successfully obtained a contract with Bourbon, a French marine services provider, to offer multiple units of its Octans Attitude and Heading Reference Systems (AHRS). These systems will be integrated into the fleet of Bourbon Subsea Services. The installation of these units will take place aboard several Bourbon Evolution 800 Series multi-purpose support vessels (MPSVs) that are specifically designed for subsea operations at depths of up to 3,000 meters. According to Exail, the Octans AHRS, which is certified by IMO-HSC, would improve the efficiency of Bourbon vessels in carrying out installation, maintenance, and repair activities for the oil and gas, and offshore wind industries.
Octans is a survey-grade surface gyrocompass and motion sensor that provides measurements for roll, pitch, and heave. It is integrated into the vessels' Class 3 dynamic positioning (DP3) system. This integration would guarantee accurate alignment and steadiness over submerged structures, permitting the secure deployment of cranes, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), and facilitating efficient survey and saturation diving operations.
In June 2023, Airbus Helicopters selected navigation and flight control equipment from Safran Electronics & Defense for the Tiger attack helicopter upgrade program. This equipment will be used in the helicopters that will be deployed by the armed services of France and Spain. The utilization of these sophisticated technology and equipment will enable Tiger personnel to successfully execute all assigned missions, regardless of the prevailing circumstances, even the most challenging operational environments.
SkyNaute is a highly small hybrid inertial navigation system that utilizes Safran's unique Crystal HRG (hemispherical resonator gyro) technology. SkyNaute has an exceptionally lightweight and compact design, thanks to this innovative technology. The SkyNaute navigation system combines exceptional integrity and precision, ensuring remarkable reliability even in areas with no or disrupted satellite navigation signals.
The APIRS attitude and heading reference system is a reliable and well-established system that supplies essential flight control information to the helicopter in three dimensions: roll, heading, and pitch. The device utilizes fiber-optic gyros (FOG) and accelerometers that employ MEMS (micro-electromechanical system) technology. It offers exceptional dependability, seamless integration into the aircraft structure, and the capacity to self-calibrate while in flight.
Attitude and Heading Reference Systems Market Key Players
- Honeywell International Inc. (US)
- Ixblue, Inc. (US)
- Lord Microstrain (US)
- Meggitt PLC (UK)
- Moog, Inc. (US)
- Northrop Grumman Corporation (US)
- Raytheon Technologies Corporation (US)
- Safran SA (France)
- Sparton Navigation and Exploration, LLC (US)
- Vectornav Technologies, LLC (US)
Recent Development
Honeywell International (HON):
January 2024: Announced a collaboration with Boeing to develop and supply the next-generation AHRS for the Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft. [Source: Company Press Release]
February 2024: Received FAA certification for its HG4933 AHRS, a lightweight and versatile option for various aircraft types.
L3Harris Technologies (LHX): December 2023: Secured a contract from the US Air Force to provide next-generation AHRS for the T-7A Red Hawk trainer aircraft.
TE Connectivity Ltd. (TEL): October 2023: Unveiled a new miniaturized AHRS designed for integration with smaller unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
By Region Insights
North America: North America dominates the attitude and heading reference systems market. This trend is projected to continue during the forecast period due to the presence of prominent players such as Honeywell International, Inc., Northrop Grumman Corporation, Raytheon Technologies Corporation, and Moog, Inc. and high investments by these companies in the development of attitude and heading reference systems.
Asia-Pacific: The attitude and heading reference systems market in this region is projected to expand at a high CAGR during the forecast period. The increase in the demand for new aircraft and defense expenditures of countries such as India and China are driving the regional market growth.
Middle East & Africa: The increase in defense expenditures by countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Israel, and the presence of major airlines such as Etihad Airways and Saudi Arabian Airlines is driving the market growth in the Middle East & Africa.
Latin America: In Latin America, there has been an increase in the use of UAVs for intelligence gathering on drug trafficking and rebel groups, deforestation monitoring, and control of illegal migration, which is expected to drive the market growth.
Attitude and Heading Reference Systems Market Segmentation
By Type
Conventional AHRS: The segment accounted for the second-largest market share in 2019. Conventional AHRS uses mechanical gyroscopic instruments and is largely used for conventional aircraft and ships.
Air Data AHRS: The segment accounted for the largest market share in 2019. This is due to the extensive use of air data AHRS in modern aircraft. Air data AHRS provides additional information such as airspeed, outside air temperature, and altitude.
GPS-aided AHRS: The segment is expected to record the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This is due to the increasing use of GPS-aided AHRS for UAVs from the last few years.
By Platform
Commercial Aviation: The segment accounted for the largest share in 2019. There has been a rise in air passenger traffic globally. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), global air travel is likely to double by 2036. Thus, to cater to the increasing passenger traffic, there has been a corresponding increase in the demand for new aircraft. The AHRS is a vital component in an aircraft, which is expected to drive the market growth.
Military Aviation: The segment is expected to grow at a steady CAGR during the forecast period. This is due to the modernization of existing military aircraft with advanced systems. Moreover, the increasing demand for fighter jets globally is also expected to drive the growth of this segment.
UAV: The segment is expected to witness the highest growth during the forecast period, 2020 to 2026. The increasing use of UAVs for surveillance, border patrol, intelligence, reconnaissance, and missile detection by the military agencies and commercial applications globally is driving the growth of this segment.
Report Attribute/Metric |
Details |
Market Size2022 |
USD 723.8 Million |
Market Size2032 |
USD 1397.2 Million |
Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) |
5.09% (2022-2032) |
Base Year |
2021 |
Market Forecast Period |
2022-2032 |
Historical Data |
2019- 2020 |
Market Forecast Units |
Value (USD Million) |
Report Coverage |
Revenue Forecast, Market Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends |
Segments Covered |
End-Use, Region |
Geographies Covered |
North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World |
Countries Covered |
The U.S., Canada, German, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil |
Key Companies Profiled |
Honeywell International Inc. (US), Ixblue, Inc. (US), Lord Microstrain (US), Meggitt PLC (UK), Moog, Inc. (US), Northrop Grumman Corporation (US), Raytheon Technologies Corporation (US), Safran SA (France), Sparton Navigation and Exploration, LLC (US), Vectornav Technologies, LLC (US) |
Key Market Opportunities |
Integration of AHRS with GPSCommercialization of unmanned aerial vehicles |
Key Market Dynamics |
Increasing Defense ExpendituresSignificant Increase in Air Passenger Traffic and Demand for New Aircraft |
Attitude Heading Reference Systems Market Highlights:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :
Global attitude and heading reference systems systems market is projected to register a moderate 5.09% CAGR in the forecast period.
Global canned beans market is touted to record a substantial market valuation of USD 1397.2 million by 2032.
The GPS-aided AHRS segment is expected to observe substantial demand over the review period.
The commercial aviation segment is expected to secure the highest CAGR.
The North American region is slated to expand as the fastest-growing segment.
A few eminent market players operating in the global attitude and heading reference systems systems market are Thales Group (France), Northrop Grumman Corporation (US), and others.