Search, Detection, Navigation & Guidance System Manufacturing Industry Profile

Companies in this industry make products such as aircraft instruments, flight recorders, navigational instruments, and radar and sonar systems. Major companies include FLIR and divisions of defense contractors such as Boeing, General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon (all based in the US), as well as BAE SYSTEMS (UK), EADS (the Netherlands), and Thales (France).

The US search, detection, and navigation equipment manufacturing industry includes about 500 companies with combined annual revenue of about $50 billion. Low growth is forecast for the next two years. Pressure on governments to reduce defense spending is a major challenge for the industry.

GPS equipment is covered in the Wireless Telecommunications Equipment Manufacturing industry profile.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Demand depends on discretionary consumer income, general economic conditions, and federal budgets for defense and homeland security. Large companies have advantages in purchasing power, manufacturing volume, and distribution efficiencies. Small companies compete by offering specialized products and subcontract manufacturing to larger system integrators. The industry is highly concentrated: the largest eight companies account for about 75 percent of revenue; the largest 50 account for about 95 percent.

PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Major products include radar (radio detection and ranging), sonar (sound navigation ranging), and thermographic technology. Manufacturers develop a wide array of products for commercial and military markets. Products for commercial markets include depth finders; fish finders; air traffic control systems; navigational aids for ships, planes, and land vehicles; and speed detection devices. Military applications include ...