Underwater Communication Systems Market

Underwater Communication Systems Market Research, 2031

The global underwater communication systems market was valued at $3.3 billion in 2021, and is projected to reach $9.2 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 11.1% from 2022 to 2031.

COVID-19 is an incomparable global public health emergency that has affected almost every industry, and the long-term effects are projected to impact the industry's growth during the forecast period. In addition, due to the pandemic there has been changes in consumer behavior and demand, purchasing patterns, re-routing of the supply chain, dynamics of current market forces, and the significant interventions of governments. Moreover, COVID-19 can potentially have a long-term impact on the AUV sector by driving changes in the macroeconomic climate, regulatory trends, and technology. Manufacturers found it more challenging to anticipate the industry's recovery due to uncertainty throughout the shutdown and supply-chain interruptions.

Underwater communication systems is the practice of communicating underwater using sound waves is known as underwater acoustic communication. There are various ways to use this type of communication, but hydrophones are by far the most popular. Due to issues like multi-path propagation, time variations in the channel, a limited amount of accessible bandwidth, and significant signal attenuation, particularly over long distances, underwater communication is challenging. Underwater communication employs acoustic waves rather than electromagnetic waves, which results in lower data rates than terrestrial communication. However, in recent years' rapid advancements in communication technology gave rise to seamless terrestrial wireless connectivity. This achievement led to a search to develop underwater communication systems. This field has made significant strides, especially with the increased deployment of underwater sensor networks. An illustration of this is how autonomous underwater vehicles operate (AUV). AUVs are autonomous underwater vehicles that can operate without a human operator. AUVs, which are increasingly used in a variety of capacities for underwater activities, symbolize the rapid improvements in underwater communication systems.

Increase in adoption of underwater communication in navel defense, increase in autonomous underwater vehicles, and surge in need of scientific exploration and data collection are the key factors that drive of the growth of the underwater communication systems market. However, limited speed of data transmission and delayed delivery rates due to the relatively slow speed of sound in water is expected to hinder the growth of the market. Moreover, growing demand for environmental protection is expected to create an opportunity in underwater communication systems industry.

The underwater communication systems market is segmented into End User, Component, Application and Connectivity.

The underwater communication systems market is segmented on the basis of component, connectivity, application, end user and region. On the basis of component, it is segmented into hardware, software, and services.  On the basis of connectivity, it is segmented into hardwired and wireless. On the basis of application, the market is categorized into environment monitoring, pollution monitoring, oceanography, hydrography and others. On the basis of end user, the market is categorized into scientific research and development, military and defense, marine, oil and gas and others. Region wise, it is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and LAMEA.

The key players profiled in the underwater communication systems market analysis are EvoLogic GmbH, Kongsberg, L3Harris Technologies Inc., Saab AB, Sea and Land Technologies Pte Ltd., Sonardyne International Ltd., Teledyne Marine, Thales, Ultra Electronics Holding Plc, and Undersea System International Inc.. These players have adopted various strategies to increase their market penetration and strengthen their position in the underwater communication systems industry.

Depending on end user, the scientific research and development segment dominated the underwater communication systems market share in 2021 and is expected to continue this trend during the forecast period, owing to underwater exploration and data collection which can be used in subjects like biology, archaeology, and oceanography. However, the marine segment is expected to witness the highest growth in the upcoming years, owing to the rising need for coordination between ships in order to exchange information and make a route for sailing.

Region-wise North America dominates the underwater communication systems market growth in 2021, owing to increase in variety of security activities such as anti-submarine warfare, marine security, surveillance, unmanned underwater vehicles, and submarine which inturn increases security concerns in the region. However, Asia-Pacific is expected to contribute significant growth in underwater communication systems market size, owing to increase in focus of companies on medium-range shallow water communication for scientific R&D and oil & gas exploration, which is expected to create a new market for these systems.

Top impacting factors

Increase in adoption of underwater communication in navel defense

Naval defense is adopting underwater acoustic communication to ensure proper communication, navigation and monitoring underwater conditions by transmitting data through water. In addition, underwater acoustic modems are finding wide application in naval defense sector to gather the data and monitor marine applications. A new underwater communications system that allows submarines to communicate at depth and speed are also being developed. Moreover, limitation of bandwidth is one of the biggest challenges in underwater communication, especially for the defense sector. Hence, companies are focusing on increasing the bandwidth and as a part of the solution, laying fiber optic cable in the sea providing higher bandwidth. This is gaining popularity to improve underwater acoustic communication for naval defense. Moreover, companies are increasingly investing in the research and development activities for underwater acoustic communication system based on various marine conditions.

Increase in Autonomous underwater vehicles

Autonomous underwater vehicles have become mainstream for the military, navy, and coastal security forces, especially subsea operations. The U.S. Navy extensively uses these vehicles for various applications, such as mine countermeasures (MCM), intelligence, surveillance & reconnaissance, identification (ID) and anti-submarine warfare (ASW). The Navy has accelerated acquisition strategies for the faster purchase of underwater vehicles to counter major challenges from China. In 2020, U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command Washington signed a contract worth USD 11.1 million with Boeing to upgrade naval operations. The company will upgrade for the future naval operations such as guidance & control, navigation, situational awareness, mission sensors, population and core communication. For instance, in February 2019, the U.S. Navy signed a contract worth USD 43 million with Boeing to develop Orca Extra Large Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (XLAUV).

Key Benefits For Stakeholders

• The study provides an in-depth analysis of the global underwater communication systems market forecast along with current & future trends to explain the imminent investment pockets.
• Information about key drivers, restraints, & opportunities and their impact analysis on global underwater communication systems market trends is provided in the report.
• The Porter’s five forces analysis illustrates the potency of the buyers and suppliers operating in the industry.
• The underwater communication systems market analysis from 2022 to 2031 is provided to determine the market potential.

 Underwater Communication Systems Market Report Highlights