Making connections is important in any industry and the need for electrical connections for aircraft in the global defense and aerospace industry is expected to grow steadily for the next five years, according to a new research report by Stratview Research. The 240-page strategic report calls for a 5.1% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in this market from 2017 to 2022, reaching a worldwide total of $1.7 billion by 2022. The report includes such types as power, RF/microwave, Ethernet, and fiber-optic connectors.
The two main growth drivers for aircraft connector demand are seen as narrow-body and wide-body aircraft, with strong demand from the Asia-Pacific and Middle-East regions. North America is projected to be the single strongest market area. Signal connectors are expected to remain the most dominant product type, with strong demand for fiber-optic and RF/microwave connectors as well. In general, the need will be for high-performance connectors which are faster, lighter, and have increased functionalities and power efficiencies, with circular connectors (see photo) the most dominant shape.
Major suppliers in the global aerospace and defense connector market include Amphenol Corp., TE Connectivity, ITT Corp., Esterline Technologies Corp., Carlisle Interconnect Technologies, Glenair, Inc., Bel Fuse, Inc., Smiths Group plc, Rosenberger Group, and Radiall, Inc.
