The global inertial navigation systems market was valued at USD 11 billion in 2023 and grew at a CAGR of 7% from 2024 to 2033. The market is expected to reach USD 21.63 billion by 2033. The increasing defence and aerospace expenditure will drive the growth of the global inertial navigation systems market.

Market Introduction:

Navigation systems help in movement or placement of vehicles or any other objects with reference to other objects in the vicinity. This facilitates easy navigation for users. Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) is an advanced navigation system which does not require an external point of reference to determine the position or any other relevant parameters like velocity and orientation of an object. accelerometers and gyroscopes are the two fundamental components of INS. Accelerometers measure acceleration and gyroscopes measure velocity. Accelerometers are linear measurement tools like gyroscope measure through angular rotation giving the direction of the object. The non-dependency on external point of reference is the biggest advantage of INS systems. It is reliable ad offers precision in measurements. The importance of navigation across sea and air space makes INS a very critical technology in both maritime and aerospace industries. they are used in the defence, space and automotive industries as well.

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Recent Development

• A tactical-grade embeddable inertial navigation system (INS) that strikes a compromise between power and adaptability, the 3DM-CV7-INS was introduced by MicroStrain by HBK.  The 3DM-CV7-INS ensures that performance is not sacrificed for flexibility. With the entire capabilities of a GNSS/INS in an 8-gram compact, the 3DM-CV7-INS can accept numerous external assisting measurements into a tactical-grade INS, allowing for optimal performance in any application. Adaptive Full Navigation EKF, developed for demanding navigation applications, makes it flexible. For easier external aiding sensor input, it features four separate, programmable external aiding frames. Additionally, it has multiple external assisting measurements for better performance in GNSS-denied events.

Market Dynamics:

Drivers

The expanding aerospace and defence sectors – The rising territorial conflicts and risk to national security globally has increased the defence expenditure worldwide. nations are increasing defence expenditure with the aim of modernizing their defence sector to tackle the ever-evolving challenges in the contemporary world and modern warfare. Furthermore, the rapid urbanization and globalization has increased air travel. The rising disposable income and expanding airline sector have augmented the expansion of aerospace sector. the increasing demand for safe air travel has encouraged advancements in navigation systems. Similarly, increasing research and development towards developing and exploring the earth’s space as well as the outer space are facilitating the advancements in navigation systems. Therefore, the expanding aerospace and defence sector will facilitate the need for advanced navigation systems contributing to the global inertial navigation systems market’s growth and development.

Restraints:

The high costs of INS – Just like with every other advanced and sophisticated technology, the INS faces significant challenges towards its adoption because of its high costs. the research and development efforts in terms of manpower, experiments, trials and capital that goes into developing functional INS systems that are reliable and accurate reflect in the costs of these systems. These systems utilize state-of-the-art components, manufacturing and integration processes which are reflected in high price point of INS. The integration, operation and maintenance are also a capital-intensive process with money required for hiring qualified labour. The high costs of these systems make the INS market a restrictive market with only the largest players of the market adopting these systems, leaving the majority out of the market due to its unaffordability. Therefore, high costs of INS will limit the market’s growth.

Opportunities:

Advancements in Technologies – The constant need to have advanced or better technologies that rivals or enemy nations contributes to ongoing research and development aimed at improving the reliability, accuracy and precision of INS systems. Innovations and advancements have also led to reduced production costs. improved integration with other systems and operational efficiency through product, material and processing innovations also expands the scope of applications. therefore, advancements in technologies will contribute to the global inertial navigation systems market’s growth and development during the forecast period.

Regional segmentation analysis:

The regions analysed for the market include North America, Europe, South America, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa. North America emerged as the most significant global inertial navigation systems market, with a 44% market revenue share in 2023.

The region is home to the most advanced and significant industry players of the market who drive innovation and advancements in INS. the region is also home to the most advanced defence and aerospace sector with key manufacturers, innovators and government institutions contributing towards its growth through programs, funds, collaborations and partnerships. The rising defence and aerospace expenditure, especially in the US, to protect national interests and stay ahead in the competition drive the regional market. the rising conflicts and geopolitical uncertainties of the market also drive the need modernize technologies throughout the economy to protect national assets and interests in the face of evolving threats. The capable, well-established and well-funded manufacturing infrastructure also contribute to the regional market’s development. the growing innovation in the automotive and consumer electronics market also augment the market’s growth and dominance.

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• In order to investigate atom-interferometry-based inertial measurement systems to lessen drift in navigation systems, researchers at the U.S. Naval Research Lab (NRL) constructed a three-dimensional (3D)-cooled atom beam interferometer derived from a patterned cold and continuous beam of atoms. This technology is currently pending patent. The Navy's desire for improved inertial navigators—which assist in tracking positions without the aid of an external position reference—inspired the development.

Component Segment Analysis

The component segment is divided into accelerometers, gyroscopes, and others. The gyroscopes segment dominated the market, with a market share of around 51% in 2023. A gyroscope is a device that measures velocity. Velocity is the angular momentum of an object. It specifies both distance and direction which helps in determining the position and speed of the object. It is one of the two critical components of INS. it is fundamental in INS as it helps in determining the position in terms of direction and speed by measuring angular rotations unlike accelerometers that only measures speed. Gyroscopes are precise, accurate, independent and reliable. They are also stable. These features contribute towards the continued dominance of gyroscopes in the market.

• Leading provider of positioning and navigational technologies, Inertial Labs, recently announced the release of the INS-FI, their newest offering. The culmination of more than 20 years of experience in creating and delivering Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) for terrestrial, marine, and aerial platforms globally is this GPS-assisted INS. The INS-FI is one of the most sophisticated and dependable INS available since it is constructed utilizing tactical-grade Fiber Optic Gyroscope (FOG) technology. Because of its superior ruggedization and EMC/EMI shielding, as indicated by its IP67 designation, it can function flawlessly even in the most hostile conditions.

Technology Segment Analysis

The technology segment is divided into mechanical gyro, ring laser gyro, fiber optics gyro, MEMS, and others. The MEMS segment dominated the market, with a market share of around 38% in 2023. MEMS stand for Microelectromechanical Systems. These systems are an integration of mechanical and electrical components as the term indicates. They facilitate the production of gyroscopes and accelerators which are vital components of INS. they facilitate the creation of accurate and compact gyroscopes and accelerometers that are efficient, lightweight and can be easily integrated with other sub-systems of the INS. they are suitable across diverse industries from consumer electronics to ships. They are cost-effective with low production costs and low power consumption. They facilitate the production of reliable, precise, accurate and efficient components in a cost-effective manner.

Platform Segment Analysis

The platform segment is divided into airborne, ground, maritime, and space. The airborne segment dominated the market, with a market share of around 41% in 2023. An airborne platform as the name suggests is the use of INS in aircrafts or any other aerial or flying object. commercial airplanes, UAVs, military jets and helicopters are a few examples. INS plays a crucial role in determining the position and speed of aircrafts independently without any external reference point. this facilitates operational autonomy which is crucial in conditions that do not allow access to GPS or other navigational tools. It optimizes flight operations through its precision and accuracy. The rapid expansion of air travel, defence expenditure towards upgrading air fleets, and adoption of drones for commercial purposes will drive the demand for airborne inertial navigation systems, thereby contributing to the segment’s dominance and growth in the global market.

• Boeing has demonstrated the potential of quantum sensors to enable airplane navigation without relying on GPS by successfully completing a historic flying test. The four-hour test demonstrated the real-time capabilities of a six-axis quantum inertial measurement unit (IMU) incorporated into a complete inertial navigation system aboard a Beechcraft 1900D. This noteworthy development highlights Boeing's dedication to leading the way in developing cutting-edge technologies that improve aviation dependability and safety.

End user Segment Analysis

The end user segment is divided into commercial and military. The military segment dominated the market, with a market share of around 58% in 2023. Military is a critical part of any nation and attracts priority investment in terms of capital, supportive regulatory framework or streamlined approvals, making it the pioneer in technologies such as INS and an early adopter of these technologies. They have the necessary capital and expertise to drive innovation, development and manufacturing of advanced technologies such as INS. they are open to experimentation contributing to quicker adoption of these technologies. INS is critical in military with its independent, accurate, reliable and precise operational capabilities that offer the military an upper hand in hostile or any other situation.

• Quantum-based navigation systems have been successfully tested in flight by the UK. The objective of this commercial trial is to improve resistance against GPS jamming and spoofing. It is being led by the quantum technology company Infleqtion. The testing at MoD Boscombe Down in Wiltshire were carried out by Infleqtion in association with the aerospace companies BAE Systems and QinetiQ. The National Quantum Strategy, which aims to position the UK as a leader in quantum technology, has provided over £8 million in government support for the initiative.

Some of the Key Market Players:

• Collins Aerospace
• General Electric Company
• Gladiator Technologies, Inc.
• Honeywell International Inc.
• Northrop Grumman Corporation
• Raytheon Technologies Corporation
• Safran Electronics & Defense
• Thales Group
• Trimble Inc.
• General Electric Company

Report Description: