The global smart weapons market was valued at $17.17 billion in 2020. Experts project this market will grow to $30.12 billion by the year 2028, which would be an average annual growth rate of 8.02% during the 2021 to 2028 period.

In summary, the global smart weapons market is forecasted to see substantial growth over the next several years, but the COVID-19 crisis did lead to a slight decline in demand temporarily. The market is still expected to nearly double in size by 2028 based on current projections.

Informational Source:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/smart-weapons-market-104058

Major Companies Covered in Smart Weapons Market are:

• BAE Systems (The U.K)
• Boeing (The U.S.)
• General Dynamics Corporation (The U.S.)
• Lockheed Martin Corporation (The U.S.)
• MBDA (France)
• Northrop Grumman Corporation (The U.S.)
• Raytheon Company, a Raytheon Technologies company (The U.S.)
• Rheinmetall AG (Germany)
• Textron Inc. (The U.S.)
• Thales Group (France)

Introduction to Smart Weapons

Smart weapons refer to guided munitions and precision-guided firearms that use advanced technologies to increase their accuracy, effectiveness, and versatility. These weapons leverage a combination of guidance systems, sensors, and digital controls to precisely target and engage enemy forces or military assets with increased precision and reduced collateral damage.

The evolution of smart weapons has been driven by the military's need for more effective and discriminate firepower in modern warfare. As traditional unguided munitions became increasingly obsolete, the demand for advanced precision-strike capabilities grew, leading to the development of sophisticated smart weapon systems.

Key Technologies Powering Smart Weapons

1. Guidance Systems:
   a. Laser Guidance: Laser-guided smart weapons use a laser designator to illuminate the target, and the munition's onboard sensors track the laser energy to home in on the target.
   b. Satellite Guidance: Global Positioning System (GPS) and other satellite-based navigation systems enable smart weapons to receive real-time positioning data and adjust their trajectory accordingly.
   c. Imaging Infrared (IIR) Guidance: IIR-guided smart weapons use infrared sensors to detect and track the unique heat signatures of targets, allowing for precision targeting.
   d. Millimeter-Wave (MMW) Radar: MMW radar-guided smart weapons use high-frequency radio waves to detect and track targets, providing all-weather guidance capabilities.

2. Sensor Technologies:
   a. Electro-Optical (EO) Sensors: EO sensors, including visible-light cameras and infrared imagers, allow smart weapons to visually identify and track targets.
   b. Radio Frequency (RF) Sensors: RF sensors, such as active radar and electronic warfare receivers, enable smart weapons to detect and locate targets based on their electromagnetic emissions.
   c. Multi-Modal Sensors: Advanced smart weapons integrate multiple sensor types, such as EO, IR, and radar, to provide comprehensive target detection and identification capabilities.

3. Guidance and Control Systems:
   a. Autopilot and Stabilization: Sophisticated autopilot and stabilization systems enable smart weapons to maintain stable flight and precise trajectory adjustments during their approach to the target.
   b. Autonomous Target Recognition: AI-powered algorithms and computer vision techniques allow smart weapons to autonomously identify and lock onto designated targets, reducing the need for human intervention.
   c. Datalink and Networking: Secure datalink and networking capabilities enable smart weapons to receive real-time updates, targeting information, and guidance commands from command and control systems.

4. Propulsion and Mobility:
   a. Rocket and Ramjet Propulsion: Smart weapons often employ rocket or ramjet propulsion systems to achieve high speeds and long-range precision strike capabilities.
   b. Miniaturized Thrusters: Compact thrusters and maneuvering systems allow smart weapons to adjust their trajectory and flight path during the terminal phase of the engagement.
   c. Glide Munitions: Some smart weapons are designed as glide munitions, using wings or aerodynamic surfaces to extend their range and improve their accuracy.

Trends and Developments in Smart Weapons

1. Increased Precision and Accuracy:
   The ongoing advancements in guidance systems, sensors, and control technologies have significantly improved the precision and accuracy of smart weapons. This has led to a reduction in collateral damage and increased mission effectiveness.

2. Networked and Collaborative Engagement:
   Smart weapons are increasingly being integrated into network-centric warfare concepts, where they can communicate and collaborate with other platforms, sensors, and command and control systems. This enables coordinated, multi-domain operations and enhances the overall effectiveness of precision strikes.

3. Autonomy and Semiautonomy:
   The incorporation of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms has enabled smart weapons to exhibit increasing levels of autonomy, from target recognition to decision-making and engagement. This trend towards semiautonomous and autonomous smart weapons raises ethical and legal considerations that are being actively debated.

4. Miniaturization and Loitering Munitions:
   The development of smaller, more compact smart weapon systems has led to the emergence of loitering munitions, also known as "suicide drones" or "kamikaze drones." These weapons can loiter in the air, identify and track targets, and then autonomously dive into the target with an explosive warhead.

5. Hypersonic Weapons:
   The pursuit of hypersonic weapons, which can travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound), has become a significant focus for many nations. These weapons combine advanced propulsion systems, guidance technologies, and maneuverability to deliver precision strikes with extreme speed and kinetic energy.

6. Multi-Domain Integration:
   Smart weapons are being increasingly integrated with other military capabilities, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), electronic warfare systems, and C4ISR (command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) assets. This integration enhances the overall effectiveness of precision-strike operations across air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains.

7. Directed Energy Weapons:
   The development of directed energy weapons, such as high-energy lasers and microwave systems, is a growing trend in the smart weapons domain. These systems can engage targets with precise, low-cost, and scalable effects, complementing traditional kinetic smart weapons.

8. Countermeasures and Defensive Systems:
   As smart weapons become more advanced, the need for effective countermeasures and defensive systems has also grown. These include electronic warfare techniques, advanced decoys, and active protection systems designed to detect, disrupt, or intercept incoming smart weapon threats.

Examples of Smart Weapon Systems

1. Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM):
   The JDAM is a guidance kit that converts unguided "dumb" bombs into all-weather precision-guided "smart" munitions. It uses a GPS-/INS-based guidance system to accurately guide the weapon to the target.

2. Paveway Laser-Guided Bombs:
   Paveway is a family of laser-guided bombs that use a laser designator to illuminate the target, allowing the munition's sensors to track the laser energy and guide the weapon to the intended impact point.

3. AGM-158 JASSM (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile):
   The JASSM is a long-range, low-observable, precision-guided cruise missile designed to be launched from various aircraft platforms to engage well-defended, high-value targets.

4. Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS):
   GMLRS is a family of precision-guided, surface-to-surface rocket systems that use GPS and INS guidance to accurately engage targets at ranges up to 300 kilometers.

5. SDB I/II (Small Diameter Bomb):
   The Small Diameter Bomb is a guided air-to-ground munition that can be carried in larger numbers by aircraft, providing increased mission flexibility and reduced collateral damage.

6. RIM-174 Standard Missile 6 (SM-6):
   The SM-6 is a long-range, surface-to-air missile that combines the capabilities of a ballistic missile defense interceptor and an anti-air warfare missile, using advanced radar and guidance systems.

7. Brimstone Missile:
   Brimstone is a fire-and-forget, precision-guided missile developed for the anti-armor role, featuring a tandem warhead, enhanced target recognition, and precision-strike capabilities.

8. Loitering Munitions:
   Examples of loitering munitions include the Israeli-developed Harop and Harpy, the U.S. Switchblade, and the Turkish Kargu, which combine the attributes of a UAV and a smart weapon to identify, track, and engage targets.

Challenges and Considerations

1. Ethical and Legal Concerns:
   The increasing autonomy and semiautonomy of smart weapons raise complex ethical and legal issues, such as the responsibility for target identification and engagement, compliance with the laws of armed conflict, and the potential for unintended or disproportionate harm.

2. Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities:
   As smart weapons become more networked and digitally integrated, they are also exposed to potential cyber threats, such as hacking, spoofing, and electronic warfare disruptions. Robust cybersecurity measures are necessary to protect these systems.

3. Countermeasure Developments:
   The advancement of smart weapons has also spurred the development of various countermeasures, including electronic warfare systems, active protection systems, and advanced decoys. Maintaining a technological edge in this area is crucial for the continued effectiveness of smart weapons.

4. Cost and Budgetary Constraints:
   The development and procurement of sophisticated smart weapon systems can be highly expensive, posing challenges for military budgets and resource allocation. Balancing the investment in smart weapons with other defense priorities is an ongoing challenge.