DUBLIN, 16 July 2009.Research and Markets has added Frost & Sullivan's new report, "U.S. C4ISR Services Market," to its portfolio. This research, an outline of the United States Department of Defense C4ISR Services plan, summarizes C4ISR services and government spending and includes a forecast of future government C4ISR Services spending.
The study's base year for the financial spending is 2007, and the market forecast is from 2008-2013.
U.S. C4ISR Services Market provides end user overviews, industry challenges, key market drivers, restraints, and trends impacting the sector. In this research, Frost & Sullivan's analysts examine the command, control, communications, computer intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) services segments and military component services.
High demand for reliable communications and responsive ISR has provided positive growth momentum for the C4ISR services, says a representative. Unmanned systems with common datalinks, controllers, and dissemination architectures represent applications that require engineering, integration, maintenance, and operations services.
"Growing demand for integration, engineering, and operations services has enabled large diversified firms to emerge at the forefront in the C4ISR services market," notes the analyst of the research. "Small companies that have built up expertise in software, analysis testing, and maintenance combined for 25.2 percent of services contract value."
DOD spending on C4ISR services will remain stable with a gradual decrease in the computer segment, the analyst predicts. More commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) standards will be utilized, boosting the adoption of ISR services, such as cultural information and dissemination/collaboration tools. Air force base infrastructure upgrades for computer networks are critical needs and integration and installation of COTS technologies into ISR functions are on the rise.
DoD's long lifecycle for programs and the out-of-phase commercial market technology cycle is a challenge to market participants, continues the analyst. An emphasis on budget and program scrutiny that will result in more joint programs and more industry competition is a restraining factor in the C4ISR services market. Programs based on immature technologies, particularly space-based programs are likely to be put on the back burner, giving room to technologies that have direct relevance to counter insurgency warfare. C4ISR asset expansion and support to ground units are the areas in which heavy emphasis will be placed during the next few years, he adds.
At present, large defense contractors hold sway over the U.S. DOD C4ISR services market, says the analyst; trends point to a slow shift toward teams comprising smaller market participants. The use of commercial satellite communications and imagery, along with open-source intelligence analysis will present opportunities for small firms to compete effectively for services contracts.
Dispersed operations that require "cloud computing" and the ability to extract needed data from remote sources will enhance the need for additional engineering and integration work, the analyst says. Platform-specific C4ISR tools are migrating toward multi-use technologies and applications that are capable of integrating legacy systems with newer COTS technologies. Demand for C4ISR training, simulation, maintenance, and program management services is also escalating, improving market prospects.
