Top-Five Military Satellite Manufacturers to Hold Strong Long-Term Market Positions

By Bill Ostrove, Space Systems Analyst, Forecast International.

Over the next 10 years, the top-five military satellite manufacturers will be Lockheed Martin, Mitsubishi Electric, Boeing, ISS Reshetnev, and Airbus. The companies are ranked based on the forecast value of production of their satellite products between 2015 and 2024. Although other companies act as subcontractors, this list is determined by estimating the revenues of the prime contractors in the military satellite industry.

  1. Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin owes its top ranking to being the prime contractor for a number of major U.S. military satellite programs. These include the Advanced EHF constellation, the GPS III, the U.S. Navy’s MUOS, and the SBIRS High system. Forecast International also expects Lockheed Martin to be awarded contracts for as-yet-unnamed satellites. Lockheed Martin maintains its position on the list despite the U.S. Air Force reopening competition for 22 GPS III spacecraft.

  1. Mitsubishi Electric

Mitsubishi places second due to its responsibility to build both the IGS and the Quasi-Zenith spacecraft.

  1. Boeing

Over the next 10 years, Boeing is expected to produce spacecraft for military purposes, including the Wideband Global Satcom system.  Forecast International also expects Boeing to be awarded contracts for as-yet-unnamed satellites.

  1. ISS Reshetnev

ISS Reshetnev is fourth due to its participation in the Russian GLONASS, Raduga-1M, and Strela-3M programs. The GLONASS is a satellite navigation system similar to the U.S. GPS. Both the Raduga and Strela are military communications satellites.

  1. Airbus

Airbus comes in at number five. The company has contracts for a number of satellite programs, including the CSO, PAZ, Falcon Eye, SEOSAR, SEOSat, and SARah. Airbus specializes in remote sensing satellites for militaries. All of these programs take advantage of the company’s experience building optical reconnaissance satellites.

Overall, the top-five companies will hold a combined 66.8 percent share of the military satellite market.


Click here for Forecast International’s entire “The Market for Military Satellites.” It includes information on the top-five manufacturers, market trends, and the competitive environment, as well as 10-year production forecasts.

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For 50 years, Forecast International intelligence reports have been the aerospace and defense industry standard for accurate research, analysis, and projections. Our experienced analysts compile, evaluate, and present accurate data for decision makers. FI's market research reports offer concise analysis of individual programs and identify market opportunities. Each report includes a program overview, detailed statistics, recent developments and a competitive analysis, culminating in production forecasts spanning 10 or 15 years. Let our market intelligence reports be a key part of reducing uncertainties and mastering your specific market and its growth potential. Find out more at www.forecastinternational.com

About Forecast International

For 50 years, Forecast International intelligence reports have been the aerospace and defense industry standard for accurate research, analysis, and projections. Our experienced analysts compile, evaluate, and present accurate data for decision makers. FI's market research reports offer concise analysis of individual programs and identify market opportunities. Each report includes a program overview, detailed statistics, recent developments and a competitive analysis, culminating in production forecasts spanning 10 or 15 years. Let our market intelligence reports be a key part of reducing uncertainties and mastering your specific market and its growth potential. Find out more at www.forecastinternational.com

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