Directed Energy Weapons Market by Technology (High Energy Lasers, High-power Radio Frequency, Electromagnetic Weapons, Sonic Weapons), Platform (Land, Airborne, Naval, Space), Application, Product, Range and Region - Global Forecast to 2027
The Directed Energy Weapon Market is projected to grow from USD 5.3 Billion in 2022 to USD 12.9 Billion by 2027, at a CAGR of 19.6% from 2022 to 2027.
Extensive research into DEW sources and the concurrent advances in beam directing technology have pushed technology to the level where fully configured DEW systems are now being designed and tested for imminent deployment. Advances in material technology, information technology, and space-based capabilities of the 21st century are also providing the right environment for the growing demand for DEW systems. The US Air Force project on airborne laser (ABL) is a classic example of how DEW technology is transforming into a formidable weapon system with hitherto unthinkable military capabilities.
The directed energy weapons market is diversified and competitive, with the majority of players in the North American and European regions. The market is dominated by companies based on their core competencies. Key players in this market include Lockheed Martin Corporation (US), Northrop Grumman Corporation (US), The Boeing Company (US), L3Harris Technologies, Inc. (US), Raytheon Technologies Corporation (US), and BAE Systems plc (UK).
Directed Energy Weapons Market Forecast to 2027
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Directed energy weapon Market Dynamics:
Driver: Rising demand of DEW to conduct successful combat operations
The rapid development of high-energy laser weapons and the adoption of high-energy laser weapons to deal with the threat of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) has become one of the advanced directed energy technologies. In 2021, these weapons were increasingly being integrated into military platforms such as navy, airborne, mobile vehicles, and satellites. In recent decades, multiple defense manufacturers and integrators have been researching and developing laser weapons and are increasingly becoming more operational. In September 2020, Raytheon Technologies Corporation built and delivered a high-energy laser weapon system to the US Air Force for use in upcoming experiments and training activities overseas. In 2020, The Boeing Company declared the delivery of its first upgraded Compact Laser Weapon Systems to the US Department of Defense. In February 2021, SIGN4L signed an MoU with MBDA and CILAS to explore co-development in high-energy laser weapons systems as part of an advanced counter-unmanned aerial vehicle (C-UAV) strategy.
Restraint: Restrictions on anti-personnel lasers
DEWs are not authoritatively defined under international law, nor are they currently on the agenda of any existing multilateral mechanism. Several legal regimes would apply to directed energy weapons. The prospect of directed energy weapons raises questions for several bodies of international law, most notably those that place restrictions on the use of force. Some DEWs are classified as non-lethal or less-lethal weapons, with proponents setting them apart from lethal weapons. Low-energy laser weapon systems are one of the most controversial topics in defense, as they may be used for anti-personnel purposes. The use of blinding weapons was banned in 1995 by the UN decision (Protocol on Blinding Laser Weapons (1995), annexed to the Framework Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW)). Thus, various DEW systems developed for military application in warfare have not been put into service. For instance, the Active Denial System developed by Raytheon Technologies Corporation was introduced to the US Army. Although the US DoD shipped the ADS to Afghanistan, deployment was halted due to humanitarian laws and other factors. The Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate (JNLWD) of US is currently working on the deployment capability of the ADS without violating international laws.
Opportunity: R&D in advanced DEW technologies
Improved system reliability is a crucial factor in selecting a directed energy weapon by any country. The incorporation of advanced hardware units to help gather and distribute capability across various defense platforms like combat vehicles. These directed energy weapons are deployed in strategic locations to increase detection rates. State-of-the-art directed energy weapons with high accuracy have led countries with border disputes and regional threats to rely on these advanced directed energy weapons to assist in border protection. Thus, rising R&D in advanced directed energy weapons technologies provides a wide range of opportunities in defense sector applications.
Challenge: Integrating existing systems with new technologies
The integration between conventional and modern devices is difficult, which adversely affects the efficiency of directed energy devices. In some cases, new devices have different protocols that make these difficult to adopt. Integration of legacy systems with new technologies is time and effort-consuming and may distract an organization from its core business activities.
Based on technology, the high energy laser (HEL) segment register large share in base year
Based on technology, the directed energy weapon market has been segmented into high-power microwave (HPM), high energy laser (HEL), sonic weapons, and electromagnetic weapons. A laser is a device that emits light through a course of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation. A laser is different from other sources of light as it emits light that is coherent. Spatial coherence allows a laser to be focused on a tight spot, enabling applications such as directed energy weapon systems. A large amount of focused energy is delivered by high-energy lasers to a faraway target at the speed of light, thereby causing structural and incendiary damage. High-energy laser systems use photons, or light particles, to carry out military missions and civil defense. This directed energy technology enables the detection of threats, tracking during maneuvers, and positive visual identification to defeat a wide range of threats, including unmanned aerial systems, rockets, artillery, and mortars. In August 2022, Lockheed Martin Corporation delivered the high-energy laser to US Navy. The high energy laser weapon was installed on warships, which is a 60KW+ laser and is officially known as High Energy Laser Integrated Optical-Dazzler and Surveillance (HELIOS).
Based on Product, the directed energy weapons market is dominated by lethal products
Based on product, the directed energy weapon market has been segmented into two categories, namely lethal and non-lethal weapons. The lethal products focused on military applications include rail guns, electromagnetic bombs (e-bombs), plasma cannons (electrothermal accelerator), microwave guns, plasma grenades, navy laser cannons, gun-launched guided projectiles, automatic shotguns, and several others. Huge investments are being made in R&D as well as the demonstration and testing of lethal directed energy weapons.
Based on application, the directed energy weapons market is dominated by the military segment
The directed energy weapons market, based on application, has been segmented into two categories, namely, homeland security and military. One of the main features of directed energy weapon technology is the ability to customize the weapon by adjusting the amount of energy deposited upon targets. The directed energy weapons find extensive applications in homeland security as well as military markets. Amongst these two applications, the military is the major field where directed energy weapons are more functional. Directed energy weapons have been used in the military since the 1930s. Lethal-directed energy weapons are used in defense applications, while non-lethal-directed energy weapons are used in homeland security.
Based on platform, the naval platform of directed energy weapons market to dominate by the market
The directed energy weapons market has been segmented by platform into land, airborne, naval, and space. It is growing rapidly due to the need for these weapons, which have proven to be highly useful in national defense applications.
The naval segment is projected to account for the largest share in 2021. This growth can be attributed to the easy installation and low power consumption of high-energy laser weapons. Compared to conventional ordnance, they have next to zero time of flight, which allows for a longer decision time and a quicker reaction time.
The Asia Pacific region is projected to Grow at highest CAGR during the forecast period
China, India, Japan, Australia, South Korea, and Rest of Asia Pacific have been considered in the Asia Pacific directed energy weapons market. Rest of Asia Pacific includes New Zealand, Philippines, and Singapore. China and India are the leading manufacturers of directed energy weapons in this region.
The demand for the directed energy weapons market has increased in recent years due to rapid economic development, increasing security threats, and increased border disputes. The military spending of China, Japan, and India has been growing in recent years due to the increased possibility of being targeted by terrorist attacks.
Directed Energy Weapons Market by Region
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North America contributed the largest share, followed by Europe in 2022. The growth of the directed energy weapons market in various regions is primarily driven by cross-border disputes and terrorist attacks in different parts of the world, along with advancements in technologies, such as hy laser and high-power radio frequency technology, among others. The North American-directed energy weapons market includes the US and Canada. US contributed the largest share to the directed energy weapons market in 2022 due to the increased demand for high-energy laser systems and high-power microwave systems in the country on its military bases in overseas deployment. This region is expected to witness a significant increase in research & development activities, particularly in high-energy laser system technologies.
The directed energy weapons market in Europe includes UK, Germany, France, Russia, Italy, and Rest of Europe. This region contributed the second-largest share of 25.82% to the directed energy weapons market in 2022. Major drivers of the directed energy weapons market in Europe include the rise in advanced warfare techniques and technological advancements, such as high-energy laser technology in directed energy weapons in the region.
European countries have strong Air Forces, which are more inclined toward procuring directed energy weapons to strengthen their position. The Navy of these countries has been focusing on directed energy weapons for the last few years. They have made significant investments in developing directed energy weapons in naval applications. The growth of the directed energy weapons market in Europe is fueled by the recent terrorist attacks in different parts of Europe.
Key Market Players
The major players in the directed energy weapon companies are Raytheon Technologies Corporation (US), Northrop Grumman Corporation (US), Lockheed Martin Corporation (US), Thales Group (France), and BAE Systems plc (UK). These players have adopted various growth strategies such as new product launches, new service launches, contracts, partnerships, agreements, collaborations, and expansions to further expand their presence in the directed energy weapon market.
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Report Metric |
Details |
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Estimated Market Size
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USD 5.3 Billion in 2022
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Projected Market Size
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USD 12.9 Billion by 2027
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Growth Rate
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CAGR of 19.6%
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Market size available for years |
2019-2027 |
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Base year considered |
2021 |
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Forecast period |
2022-2027 |
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Forecast units |
Value (USD Million/USD Billion) |
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Segments covered |
By Platform, By Application, By Range, By Technology, By Product, and By Region |
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Geographies covered |
North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Rest of the World |
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Companies covered |
Raytheon Technologies Corporation (US), Northrop Grumman Corporation (US), Lockheed Martin Corporation (US), Thales Group (France), BAE Systems plc (UK), and The Boeing Company (US) |
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Companies covered (Directed energy weapon market start-ups and directed energy weapon market ecosystem) |
Dynetics, Inc. (US), EaglePicher Technologies (US), Radiance Technologies, Inc. (US), Applied Research Associates, Inc. (US), BlueHalo (US), and others |
Directed Energy Weapons Market Highlights
This research report categorizes the directed energy weapon market based on platform, application, range, technology, product, and region.
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Segment |
Subsegment |
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By Technology |
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By Application |
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By Platform |
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By Range |
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By Product |
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By Region |
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Recent Developments
- In January 2023, L3Harris Technologies, Inc. was awarded a contract worth USD 40 million to provide 14 units of anti-drone weapon systems to bolster the security forces of Ukraine.
- In December 2022, Lockheed Martin Corporation and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. jointly developed 100KW fiber class directed energy weapons for the IRON BEAM project.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
What is the current size of the Directed Energy Weapon Market?
The Directed Energy Weapon Market is projected to grow from USD 5.3 Billion in 2022 to USD 12.9 Billion by 2027, at a CAGR of 19.6% from 2022 to 2027.
Who are the winners in the Directed Energy Weapon Market?
Raytheon Technologies Corporation (US), Northrop Grumman Corporation (US), Lockheed Martin Corporation (US), Thales Group (France), and BAE Systems plc (UK) are contributing major share in the market in 2021.
What are some of the technological advancements in the Market?
High Energy Microwaves, Laser Beam Energy, Army Directed Energy Weapons Solid-State Lasers to Counter Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
What are the factors driving the growth of the Market?
Increased demand in combat operations, modernization and investments in military platforms, rapid advancements in AI, big data analytics, and robotics.
What region holds the largest share of the Market in 2021?
North America registered the largest share of 44.8% in global directed energy weapon market in 2021.
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This research study on the directed energy weapon market involved extensive use of secondary sources, directories, and databases such as Hoovers, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, and Factiva to identify and collect information relevant to the market. The primary sources considered included industry experts as well as service providers, manufacturers, solution providers, technology developers, alliances, and organizations related to all segments of the value chain of this market. In-depth interviews with various primary respondents, including key industry participants, subject matter experts (SMEs), industry consultants, and C-level executives, were conducted to obtain and verify critical qualitative and quantitative information pertaining to the directed energy weapon market as well as assess its growth prospects.
Secondary Research
Secondary sources referred for this research study included financial statements of companies offering directed energy weapons based on different technology, application, platform, product, and range, along with information from various trade, business, and professional associations. The secondary data was collected and analyzed to arrive at the overall size of the market that was validated by primary respondents.
Primary Research
In the primary research process, various primary sources from both the supply and demand sides were interviewed to obtain qualitative and quantitative information on the market. The primary sources from the supply side included various industry experts, such as chief X officers (CXOs), vice presidents (VPs), and directors from business development, marketing, and product development/innovation teams; related key executives from the market participants, such as Georgia Aerospace Systems, DRDO, and Individual Industry Expert.
Extensive primary research was conducted after obtaining information about the current scenario of the directed energy weapons market through secondary research. Several primary interviews were conducted with market experts from both the demand and supply sides across 4 regions, namely, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World. This primary data was collected through questionnaires, emails, and telephonic interviews.
Primary interviews were conducted to gather insights such as market statistics, data of revenue collected from the products, market breakdowns, market size estimations, market size forecasting, and data triangulation. Primary research also helped analyze the technology, application, product, platform, range, and distribution channel segments of the market for four key regions. Stakeholders from the demand side, such as CXOs, production managers, and maintenance engineers, were interviewed to understand the perspective of buyers on product suppliers and service providers, along with their current usage. It also helped in understanding the future outlook of their businesses that will affect the overall directed energy weapon market.
To know about the assumptions considered for the study, download the pdf brochure
Market Size Estimation
The bottom-up approach was employed to arrive at the overall size of the directed energy weapons market from the revenues of key players and their shares in the market. Calculations based on the revenues of key players identified in the market led to the overall market size. The bottom-up approach was also implemented for data extracted from secondary research to validate the market segment revenues obtained. The market shares were then estimated for each company to verify the revenue shares used earlier in the bottom-up approach. With the data triangulation procedure and validation of data through primaries, the overall parent market size and each individual market size were determined and confirmed in this study.
The research methodology used to estimate the market size also includes the following details:
- Key players in the industry and markets have been identified through secondary research, and their market value is determined through primary and secondary research. These include a study of the annual and financial reports of top market players and extensive interviews with leaders, including CEOs, directors, and marketing executives.
- All the percentage shares, splits, and breakdowns have been determined using secondary sources and were verified through primary sources.
- All the possible parameters that affect the markets covered in this research study have been accounted for, viewed in extensive detail, verified through primary research, and analyzed to procure the final quantitative and qualitative data.
This data has been consolidated, added with detailed inputs and analysis by MarketsandMarkets, and presented in this report.
Market Size Estimation Methodology: Bottom-Up Approach
Market Size Estimation Methodology: Top- Down Approach
Data Triangulation
After arriving at the overall market size, the total market was split into several segments and subsegments. The data triangulation and market breakdown procedures explained below were implemented, wherever applicable, to complete the overall market engineering process and arrive at the exact statistics for various market segments and subsegments. The data was triangulated by studying various factors and trends from both the demand and supply sides. Along with this, the market size was validated using both the top-down and bottom-up approaches.
The following figure indicates the market breakdown structure and data triangulation procedure implemented in the market engineering process for developing this report.
Similarities Between Sonic Weapons and Laser Weapons as Directed Energy Weapons
Directed energy weapons are weapons that use concentrated energy, such as lasers or sound waves, to disable or destroy a target. Sonic weapons use high-intensity sound waves to incapacitate or disorient a target, while laser weapons use concentrated beams of light to disable or destroy a target.
Both types of weapons are considered directed energy weapons because they focus a specific type of energy onto a target in a concentrated manner. This allows them to be highly effective in their intended purpose, whether it be disabling a target's electronics or physically damaging a target.
Potential Future Applications of Sonic Weapons and Laser Weapons
Sonic weapons have been used for crowd control and non-lethal applications, and their effectiveness in these areas may make them a popular choice for law enforcement and military organizations. However, the use of sonic weapons has also raised concerns about their potential for misuse and human rights violations.
Laser weapons, on the other hand, have been developed primarily for military applications, such as anti-aircraft defense and anti-missile defense. As the technology behind laser weapons continues to improve, it is possible that they will become more widely used in military operations.
The future of sonic weapons and laser weapons in the directed energy weapons market will likely depend on a variety of factors, including technological advancements, changing military needs, and evolving ethical and legal considerations.
Report Objectives
- To define, describe, segment, and forecast the size of the directed energy weapons (DEW) market based on application, technology, product, platform, and range, along with a regional analysis
- To forecast the size of different segments of the market with respect to four key regions, namely, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World, along with their key countries
- To identify and analyze key drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges influencing the growth of the market
- To identify technology trends currently prevailing in the market
- To provide an overview of the tariff and regulatory landscape with respect to directed energy weapons across different regions
- To analyze micromarkets1 with respect to individual growth trends, prospects, and their contribution to the overall market
- To analyze opportunities in the market for the stakeholders by identifying key market trends
- To analyze the impact of the recession on the market and its stakeholders
- To profile the leading market players and comprehensively analyze their market share and core competencies2
- To analyze the degree of competition in the market by identifying key growth strategies, such as new product launches, collaborations & expansions, contracts, partnerships, and agreements, adopted by the leading market players
- To identify detailed financial positions, key products, and unique selling points of leading companies in the market
- To provide a detailed competitive landscape of the directed energy weapons market, along with a ranking analysis, market share analysis, and revenue analysis of the key players
Available customizations
Along with the market data, MarketsandMarkets offers customizations as per the specific needs of companies. The following customization options are available for the report:
Product Analysis
- Product matrix, which gives a detailed comparison of the product portfolio of each company
Regional Analysis
- Further breakdown of the market segments at country-level
Company Information
- Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to 5)
Generating Response ...
Growth opportunities and latent adjacency in Directed Energy Weapons Market
New start company based on material science. I am assessing market opportunities in directed energy as a subsystem supplier of optical and high voltage components.