Global Market Size, Forecast, and Trend Highlights Over 2025-2037
Radar-Absorbing Materials Market size was estimated at USD 932.86 million in 2024 and is expected to surpass USD 3.97 billion by the end of 2037, rising at a CAGR of 11.8% during the forecast period, i.e., 2025-2037. In 2025, the industry size of radar-absorbing materials is evaluated at USD 1.04 billion.
The radar-absorbing materials market is expanding due to the rise in military spending and technological development. These materials are essential for commercial sectors such as aerospace and automotive, and military and defense applications. A Russian state company called Rostec has created a stealth substance that may absorb broadband radio waves, reducing the radar equipment's ability to detect aircraft components. The substance, which is built on a metal-core glass filament foundation, greatly reduces aircraft detection by absorbing up to 95% of incident electromagnetic energy from radars.
Several layers of glass fabric are connected during the production process to create a structural material that absorbs radar and requires no maintenance. Advanced aviation systems' structural optics will be developed using the enhanced stealth glass technology. Potential uses for radar-absorbing materials technology are demonstrated, which could improve aircraft combat capability by decreasing radar visibility.
Furthermore, the growing use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and trends in electronic warfare (EW) systems are generating demand for radar-absorbing materials. As UAVs and EW systems progress, there will be a greater demand for stealth technology and radar-absorbing materials. The changing technical needs and security expectations, continuous research and development efforts are being made to improve the performance and adaptability of radar-absorbing materials.
Radar-Absorbing Materials Sector: Growth Drivers and Challenges
Growth Drivers
- Increasing use in commercial applications: Radar-absorbing materials have long been employed in military contexts, but there is a growing trend of adapting them for use in commercial settings. Radar-absorbing materials can reduce radar interference with other devices in telecommunications networks, boost the efficiency of radars used for weather monitoring, and enhance the performance of radar sensors in cars. The global radar-absorbing materials market will continue to expand as new commercial uses are developed, and this expansion will extend beyond the military sphere.
- Rising applications in civilian industries: A vital part of contemporary military and commercial uses, radar-absorbing materials (RAM) decrease the radar cross-section (RCS) of a variety of objects, such as ships, aircraft, and ground-based constructions. There will be more innovations in this subject as research and technology progress. To integrate radar-absorbing technology into foam panels for the Europa Clipper spacecraft, AMD has agreed with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). The Europa Clipper can travel close to Jupiter's moon Europa and collect precise measurements to assess if the environment is habitable. This partnership demonstrates the enormous potential of materials and structures for radar absorption in the aviation sector.
Challenges
- Cost constraints and affordability: The high cost of developing and implementing radar-absorbing materials solutions is a major constraint on the radar-absorbing materials business. Research and development costs for new materials and technologies can be high, and incorporating RAM into existing platforms or structures frequently necessitates significant expenditure in design, testing, and certification. The strong initial expenses may dissuade some organizations from implementing radar-absorbing materials, particularly smaller businesses or those operating on a limited budget.
- Challenges in material performance and durability: The difficulty of attaining consistent material performance and durability under actual working settings is another barrier affecting the radar-absorbing materials market. A wide range of environmental conditions, including temperature changes, moisture exposure, and mechanical stress, must be avoided by radar-absorbing materials to preserve their absorption capabilities. It can be difficult to ensure RAM's long-term dependability and efficacy, particularly in demanding working situations where materials are exposed to harsh temperatures, such as aerospace and maritime applications.
Radar Absorbing Materials: Key Insights
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Base Year |
2024 |
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Forecast Year |
2025-2037 |
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CAGR |
11.8% |
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Base Year Market Size (2024) |
USD 932.86 million |
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Forecast Year Market Size (2037) |
USD 3.97 billion |
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Regional Scope |
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Radar-Absorbing Materials Segmentation
Type (Magnetic, Dielectric, Hybrid)
Type segment is anticipated to capture over 46.1% radar-absorbing materials market share by 2037. These materials are critical for stealth applications in aerospace and military such as they absorb electromagnetic radiation from radar systems using their magnetic properties. The market is defined by a diverse range of material types, each with unique advantages and applications in electromagnetic interference mitigation and stealth technologies. To meet the increased need for radar invisibility and electronic warfare capabilities, continuing research and development projects attempt to improve these materials' performance and efficiency.
The market share of dielectric radar-absorbing materials was substantial. These materials effectively suppress radar signals and provide radar invisibility for a variety of applications, such as military aircraft and naval vessels, by using their dielectric characteristics. A lucrative market for hybrid radar-absorbing materials has formed. Hybrid technologies meet the changing demands of defense and security applications by combining the advantages of magnetic and dielectric materials to provide improved radar absorption capabilities and versatility.
Technology (Impedance Matching, Resonant Absorbers, Circuit Analog RAM, Magnetic RAM, Adaptive RAM)
Based on the technology, the impedance matching technology segment in radar-absorbing materials market is expected to hold a significant share by the end of 2037. This technique focuses on altering the electrical properties of materials to match those of the surrounding medium to effectively reduce radar reflections and boost stealth capabilities in military and aerospace applications. The market offers a wide range of technologies developed to meet the diverse needs of aerospace and defense applications. Continuous advances in material science and technology innovation are expected to boost these materials' performance and flexibility even more, accelerating their global expansion and commercial acceptability.
Resonant Absorbers technology accounted for a large market share. These materials are intended to resonate at precise frequencies, absorbing and dispersing electromagnetic energy, hence reducing radar detection and improving military platform survivability. Circuit Analog RAM (Radar Absorbent Material) has emerged as a potential segment. This technique absorbs and redirects radar signals using complicated circuitry and conductive materials, resulting in effective stealth capabilities for airplanes, ships, and ground vehicles.
Magnetic RAM technology held a significant radar-absorbing materials market share. These materials use magnetic characteristics to reduce radar signals, providing improved radar invisibility and electronic warfare capabilities to military platforms operating in hostile settings. Adaptive RAM technology appeared as a growing market. This technology has adaptive elements that allow for real-time alterations to radar-absorbing qualities, resulting in dynamic stealth capabilities and increased survivability for military assets in dynamic operating settings.
Our in-depth analysis of the global market includes the following segments:
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Type |
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Technology |
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Material |
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End user |
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Customize this ReportRadar-Absorbing Materials Industry - Regional Scope
Asia Pacific Market Analysis
Asia Pacific radar-absorbing materials market is poised to hold revenue share of over 35.2% by the end of 2037, owing to the rapid expansion of the region's defense and aerospace industries, combined with increased investments in radar technology, has greatly increased demand for RAM, which plays an important role in improving stealth capabilities and minimizing radar detection.
India has had a major impact on the domination of the Asia Pacific radar-absorbing materials market. Radar system improvements and their vast defense upgrade programs have increased demand for high-performance RAM solutions. This increase is directly related to the growing demand for stealth technology in military applications, such as ground-based systems, aircraft, and naval vessels, underscoring the crucial role that radar-absorbing materials.
Using magnetic functional filler material, the Defence Laboratory in Jodhpur has created a polyurethane-based radar-absorbing paint that may be applied to strategic targets to reduce RCS. Radar Absorbing Paint's polyurethane resin technology is incredibly weather-resistant and able to tolerate extremely high and low temperatures. To achieve the best radar absorption qualities, a resin matrix containing magnetic functional filler material of a certain size and shape has been employed in the right proportion. Both airborne and ground-based strategic targets can be painted with the developed paint.
China has a strong manufacturing base and technological ability that make it easier to design and implement cutting-edge RAM solutions for a range of military and commercial uses. In addition, the region's strategic emphasis on improving military and national security capabilities has raised demand for advanced substances that absorb radar, driving investment in and innovation in RAM technologies. Asia Pacific is leading the world market for radar-absorbing materials, and this trend highlights the region's status as a major center for invention and manufacturing in this field. In November 2024, China asserted that its new stealth coating could blind anti-stealth radars on paper. The new coating is significantly thinner than previous coatings such as it uses metamaterials to accomplish the radar-hiding trick. The Chinese military claims that the new coating will revolutionize stealth technology by absorbing electromagnetic signals from a variety of angles. Certain electromagnetic frequencies employed by radar systems can be effectively absorbed by the materials currently available for stealth aircraft. The National University of Defense Technology (NUDT) in China created the novel substance. It is claimed that this substance can produce heat from electromagnetic waves with wavelengths between 70 cm (2.3 ft) and 20 cm.
North America Market Analysis
North America is expected to experience a stable CAGR during the forecast period. The presence of significant aerospace and military industries in the region is the main factor contributing to the growth of the regional radar-absorbing materials market. Furthermore, the North America market is expanding due to the growing need for sophisticated radar-absorbing materials in both military and commercial applications.
The U.S. is anticipated to increase at the fastest rate during the prediction period. The primary cause of this region's growth is the rising defense budget. The market is expanding as a result of the growing need for radar-absorbing materials in the consumer electronics and automotive sectors. For many years, the U.S. Navy has led the way in developing stealth technology, concentrating on lowering the radar cross-section of its ships to make them harder for adversaries to detect. The F-35 Lightning II, created by Lockheed Martin, is nearly undetectable to radar due to its stealth technology. Its distinctive airframe design reduces radar cross-section, which contributes to its stealth qualities. In addition, a large portion of its surface is covered in materials that absorb radar. Another factor that enhances this jet's stealth profile is the internal weapons.
Canada is one of the top producers of materials that absorb radar, and the growing use of radar technology across a range of sectors, such as defense, telecommunications, and the automobile industry, is driving up demand for these materials. Low Profile Avionics Mount for Aerospace and Defense Uses, LORD AM-001 Series Parker for small, high-load, high-capacity isolators. Lord Low Profile Avionics Mounts (AM Series) are the industry standard. They are made to support and safeguard the avionics systems in all kinds of aircraft. Examples of uses for these mounts include radar components and inertial guidance, and navigation systems. Additionally, engine/aircraft components such as oil coolers, pressure sensors, and fuel controls are isolated using AM Series Mounts.
Companies Dominating the Radar-Absorbing Materials Landscape
- BAE Systems.
- Company Overview
- Business Strategy
- Key Product Offerings
- Financial Performance
- Key Performance Indicators
- Risk Analysis
- Recent Development
- Regional Presence
- SWOT Analysis
- PPG Industries, Inc.
- Eeonyx’s
- Laird Technologies, Inc.
- M.S.M. Industries, Inc
- MWT Materials, Inc.
- Panashield
- Parker Hannifin Corp
- Soliani EMC S.R.L
The market for radar-absorbing materials is anticipated to rise steadily due to its adaptable qualities and rising demand in several industries, especially in military expenditures and advancements in technology. Both military and defense applications, as well as commercial industries such as aerospace and automotive, depend on these materials. Future market expansion will depend on resolving issues with competition, raw material availability, and environmental concerns while taking advantage of new market possibilities and technical developments.
Here are some leading players in the radar-absorbing materials market:
In the News
- In 2024, BAE Systems reported a substantial advancement in the technology of radar-absorbing materials, which significantly reduced the radar cross-section for military aircraft and navy vessels.
- In 2024, Eeonyx introduced a new line of conductive textiles that are laced with polymers that absorb radar. These textiles are lightweight and flexible, making them ideal for covert applications in military gear and uniforms.
- In 2024, Parker Hannifin Corp. launched a new range of RAM-based gaskets and seals for use in automotive and aerospace applications, offering improved defense against environmental pollutants and electromagnetic interference.
- In 2021, BAE Systems was given a contract by Lockheed Martin to produce and deliver more electronic warfare systems for the 5th Generation F-35 Lightning II, including long lead, sustainment spares, and retrofit kits. These systems will support vital missions in contested airspace by offering advanced situational awareness and threat response capabilities.
Author Credits: Dhruv Bhatia
- Report ID: 5804
- Published Date: Apr 08, 2025
- Report Format: PDF, PPT
