Web Page sponsored by IT Governance
www.itgovernance.co.uk
————————————————————–
08 Sep 11. Forecast International projects that the worldwide military satellite market will be worth $42.5bn, based on production of 180 military satellites, from 2011-2020. Thirty-five satellite programs are covered in the company’s “The Market for Military Satellites” study, which notes that these orbiting systems play a significant role in modern military operations, particularly in the U.S., which relies heavily on communications and reconnaissance to achieve its goals on the battlefield. The analysis addresses some of the difficulties facing the market as a result of tight government budgets worldwide. “Governments are faced with large debt, and are reducing spending plans in response,” said Ostrove. With respect to military satellites, budget cuts will be felt the most in the U.S., where satellite manufacturers have long enjoyed lucrative development and production contracts. According to the study, the tougher budget environment is prompting the U.S. to focus on production of already-developed satellites, rather than on development of revolutionary new technology. The U.S. Department of Defense will also place more emphasis on smaller, inexpensive satellites under a concept known as Operationally Responsive Space (ORS). Other concepts being pursued by military buyers include increased reliance on commercial satellite capacity, and greater purchases of hosted payloads. The study says that the U.S. has depended on commercial satellite operators for some time; however, as the demand for bandwidth increases, the military will increasingly rely on commercial satellite operators. Likewise, the military will rely more heavily on hosted payloads. Ostrove states that hosted payloads will become more commonplace as time goes by. Despite budget troubles, the United States remains the most significant market in the world for military satellites. In terms of value, the United States will account for nearly three-quarters of military satellite production over the next 10 years, according to the report. Other notable military satellite purchasers during the period will include Japan, France, Russia, and China. U.S.-based companies Boeing and Lockheed Martin will benefit from the DoD’s reliance on satellites, and they top Forecast International’s list of prominent manufacturers during the 2011-2020 period. Mitsubishi, EADS Astrium, and ISS Reshetnev will also see significant production.
07 Sep 11. Legacy military equipments in most European armies are becoming irrelevant for present-day operations, as they demand special capabilities for operating in urban environments and asymmetric warfare. While there is an immediate need to acquire new equipment, affordability remains a concern with most European countries reeling under economic turmoil. New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.aerospace.frost.com), European Military Land Vehicles Market Assessment, projects total market revenues at $ 4.52bn in 2010 and it is expected to reduce to $ 2.01bn in 2018. The reduction in revenues is mainly due to cuts in spending; however lack of visibility on future programs that might arise after 2015 is also to be considered. The following market sectors are covered in the research: military land vehicles and unmanned ground vehicles. Although European countries are curtailing their defence budgets due to the current economic turmoil, significant opportunities continue to exist in the military land vehicles market. The lessons learnt from recent conflicts will motivate armies to opt for advanced and more efficient equipment. Therefore, governments have been changing their focus from quantity to quality. Countries like France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Turkey would be the major markets during the forecast period.
08 Sep 11. Baha Mousa Inquiry: Report Published. Sir William Gage published (8 Sep 11) the