Radar Absorbing Materials Market Size - By Material Type, Form, Frequency Range, Application, End Use Industry Growth Forecast, 2025 - 2034

Radar Absorbing Materials Market Size

The global radar absorbing materials market size was estimated at USD 800 million in 2024. The market is expected to grow from USD 828 million in 2025 to USD 1.1 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 3.7%.
 

Increased geopolitical conflicts across the globe, along with the modernized shifts in the world’s defense systems, are the driving forces behind the growth of the RAM (Radar Absorbing Materials) market; further development of stealth technology for military and civilian uses is an additional reason for growth. Another prominent shift in the RAM market is the focus towards investment in new materials with greater multi-spectral absorption capabilities, low weight, and superior macro, micro, and structural thermal stability.
 

Global influence such as India, China, Russia, and the US are extensively working RAM dependent next-generation fighter jets; unmanned aerial systems known as drones, naval ships, and other unmanned combat vessels which require reduced radar cross-section for increased stealth and survivability capabilities. Further, the commercial sector of the aviation industry is also starting to make use of RAM for drones that are used for surveillance purposes and for private jets, also known as executive jets.
 

Moreover, carbon nano tubes and graphene composites that are used to manufacture RAM are thinner, lighter, and have greater structural strength and because of this, the materials are easier to perform with and more advanced than the older options available. RAM materials are comprised of dangerous chemicals and for this reason, it is acceptable to think sustainable options are in the process of being developed by manufacturers. Joint partnerships of defense government bodies, companies proprietary to material sciences, and universities are beneficiaries of the faster rates of discovery.
 

In the meantime, the new defenders entering the competition along with well-established contractors are facing the problem of making RAM solutions cheaper so they can be used in a greater range of applications. Consequently, the RAM market is expected to achieve continual growth in defense, aerospace, automotive radar systems, as well as in 5G and 6G communications shielding.
 

A growing concern for stealth technology-based expenditure in aerial devices around the world is a significant factor in the radar absorbing materials market. Moreover, governments have increased focus on the radar-evading capabilities of fighter jets, naval vessels, and ground vehicles of the next generation to maintain operational supremacy whilst minimizing exposure-controlled detection and targeting systems. Defending nations around the globe: the US, China, and Russian have substantially increased warfare R&D funding, developing sophisticated airframes and coatings that use advanced RAM to absorb and reflect radar waves, reducing their detectability.
 

For example, in the U.S., the Department of Defense’s ongoing expenditures in the Joint Strike Fighter and F-35 RAM technology sustainers programs, alongside the stealth bomber B-21 Raider, operates on RAM the absorb radar waves sustaining technology. Strained Indo-Paces region and Eastern Europe termed regions of high perspective tension further exacerbate this issue, presenting central stealth and transparency as strategic advancements. These rising RAM demands focus on missile and drone technologies as adversaries advance their detection systems. Military guidelines shifting towards asymmetric warfare and electronic warfare quickly makes radar absorption technologies a necessity augmenting the RAM industry's growth.
 

Radar Absorbing Materials Market Trends

Adoption of Nanotechnology-Enhanced RAM for Multi-Band Absorption: The RAM industry is almost completing a standard shift by incorporating new age technologies like nanotechnology with the possibility of developing multi-band radar absorbing materials (RAM) with superior performance to weight and thickness ratios. Older RAM technologies like ferrite-based coatings or conductive polymer RAM have poor bandwidth and effectiveness across the radar spectrum, particularly with sophisticated multi-frequency radars deployed in modern warfare.
 

The introduction of these nanomaterials to the existing matrices composites substantially increases the attenuation of electromagnetic waves by increasing dielectric loss, magnetic loss, interfacial polarization, and other critical factors of absorbing radar energy. A prominent example are graphene composites, which not only absorb radar signals but also provide thermal conductivity, chemically stable, and lightweight structure required to integrate into stealth skins for aircrafts, covert UAVs, and missile nose cones. Moreover, resin and coatings including carbon nanotubes have been integrated into flexible backings for radar absorbing fabrics and panels. 
 

Ongoing work in industrial applications of nanocomposite spray coating, vacuum-assisted molding, and dispersion techniques is directed toward the rapid mass production of high-performance RAMs (reduced-are radar absorbents). On a broader scope, various branches of military are focusing on the development of composite systems which have low radar cross-section (RCS) values with an acceptable degree of manoeuvrability and payload control. The adoption of nanotechnology augmented RAM is effectively catering to these military demands. 

This development is further augmented by increased funding opportunities in R&D by the government of the US, China, and Isreal alongside partnered initiatives between defense corporations and nanomaterial startups. The constant decline in the production cost of nanomaterials increases the probability of this trend, which will enable an extensive range of uses for RAM in the defense, aerospace, and civilian sectors.
 

Growing Use of RAM in 5G/6G Telecommunications and Civil Electronics: Another significant development which broadens the scope of the technologies is the growing use of RAM implementations in civilian telecommunication, particularly regarding the 5G and the upcoming 6G infrastructure. Along with the development of mobile communication to the millimeter wave (mmWave) range, electromagnetic interference (EMI) and signal attenuation issues become important. To reduce the unwanted emissions in antennas, radio units, base stations, and user devices, RAM is being implemented. These components are essential regarding the control of disruptive sensitive circuitry and the balance between signal reflection and electromagnetic interference (EMI) dominate electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) as well as adjacent electronic systems. 
 

Minimizing electromagnetic interference (EMI) has become crucial to the functionality and safety of devices, which is why RAM is being integrated into consumer electronics like smartphones, laptops, smartwatches, and wearables. The ever-growing IoT and smart devices ecosystem is placing new demands on the electronics industry to enhance the signal strength especially for noise-free communication, thus installing RAM in printed circuit boards (PCBs), device covers, and shielding cases. 
 

This further advancing trend is also due to mounting restrictions on electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) regulations, particularly in the EU, U.S., and Japan where product certification mandates adequate mitigation of EMI interference. The integrated telecommunications, electronics, and materials engineering fields are creating flexible, lightweight, mass producible RAM with strong business prospects.
 

Trade Impact

The international Radar Absorbing Materials (RAM) market so central to stealth technology employed by the defense and aerospace industries was hard hit by President Donald Trump's Blitzkrieg reimposition of tariffs in 2025. The United States imposed a tariff on imports from China, including critical components such as samarium, gadolinium, and dysprosium rare earths critical to RAM manufacturing. As a result, China imposed export restrictions on these materials. This had interrupted supply chains and raised costs for U.S. defense contractors relying on China. As a result, these tariffs have tightened international supply chains, causing companies like Lockheed Martin to face increased costs for components used in production of the F-35 fighter aircraft, the most complex aircraft with a supply chain network of over 1,900 suppliers.
 

These duties will be at the expense of RTX USD 850 million as a principal supplier. Furthermore, China's retaliatory measures have made the export market more difficult by subjecting U.S. products to the maximum duty rate of up to 125%. In addition, Canada and Mexico have also imposed their own tariffs on U.S. products, and European Union has declared 25% tariffs on USD 23.8 billion worth of U.S. export. These impacts have transformed some of the trade relationships in remaining part of the world with China, South Korea and Japan discussing about collaborating for supply chain development in attempts to decrease reliance on U.S. markets.
 

Collectively, the changes due to tariffs have encouraged businesses to revise their sourcing practices, some doing so with a "China +1" model in order to diversify from risks by diversifying manufacturing venues. This is being paid by the market at the continued breakdown of the trade relations of superpowers and these levies.
 

Radar Absorbing Materials Market Analysis

The military RAM holds a significant share in the market. This is due to growing spending on stealth aircraft, UAVs, naval vessels, and missiles which must have their radar signature minimized for detection avoidance. U.S., China, Russia, India, Israel, and France actively expanding their stealth capability masteries often because of regional security challenges and evolving strategies dominated the warfare. 
 

From a technology angle, the radar absorbing materials market shift is from conventional carbon and ferrite-based coatings to sophisticated nanostructured composites, polymers with carbon nanotubes, and graphene-infused materials. Multifunctional advanced RAM systems are expected to outperform existing solutions in several radar frequency bands alongside enhanced thermal, mechanical strength, weight and dimension, and thickness, which are vital for the newest RAM systems integrated into supersonic speed platforms.
 

The radar absorbing materials market from magnetic absorbers segment held a 34.8% share in 2024 and was valued at USD 278.7 million in 2024. Currently employed magnetic absorbers retain the magnetic dielectric combination due to their superiority and performance usability in military applications like aircraft and naval ship stealth technology operating below 10 GHz. The emergence of multi-spectral stealth platforms makes use of wide operational range hybrid absorbers with both magnetic and dielectric elements, which are proving useful to extend operational boundaries.
 

By form, the coatings & paints segment was held at USD 313.2 million in 2024. The coatings and paints command a significant portion of the radar absorbing materials market due to the versatility and ease of application onto aircraft, ships and even civilian infrastructures. Their preference stems from the versatility of being applied in-situ and retrofitted. Due to the thin profile and flexibility of the materials, sheets & films are increasingly utilized as electronics shielding and in stealth panels. Foams & honeycombs dominate in the structural lightweight radar absorbing applications like UAVs and satellite assemblies.
 

The X band (8-12 GHz) segment was valued at USD 195 million in 2024 and gained 4.7% CAGR from 2025 to 2034 with a radar absorbing materials market share of 24.4%. 
 

Use of frequency range lower than one gigahertz is rare but does exist in some land based long range detection systems. Military aviation and naval applications are increasingly demanding L & S bands (1-4 GHz) because these frequencies are already entrenched in airborne and maritime surveillance radars. C Band (4-8 GHz) is extensively used in the ground monitoring systems as well as in the air traffic control systems. The X Band (8-12 GHz) is in greater demand because it contains important targeting and weather radar functions, increasing requirements for RAM in aircraft, drones and missile systems.
 

By application, the radar absorbing materials market from military aircraft segment held USD 247.7 million in 2024, and it is expected to expand to 4.3% of CAGR during the forecast period. Fighters during the next global conflict will be the single largest consumer of RAM as global demand shifts toward stealth capability implementation on next generation fighting jets. Naval units are also important RAM consumers, using them on masts and superstructures for mounted stealth features. Maneuvering Command and Control (C2) systems and armored vehicles operating in radar dominated spaces are incorporating more stealth radar capabilities, increasing current levels.
 

By end use industry, the radar absorbing materials market from defense segment held USD 486.8 million in 2024, and it is expected to expand at a 4% CAGR during the forecast period. The primary share comes from the defense industry which follows from military modernization, stealth technologies, global conflicts, and increased surveillance. The aerospace industry follows next as RAM is integrated into commercial aircraft, drones, and satellites for stealth as well as EMI shielding. Electronics & telecommunications is an emerging new ramification as RAM finds usage in mobile devices, circuit boards, and communication towers for reduction of EMI and enhanced signaling.
 

U.S. radar absorbing materials market were valued at USD 270.2 million in 2024 and expected to grow at a 4.3% CAGR from 2025-2034.
 

The U.S. Department of Defense is actively pursuing creeping technologies where reduction of RCS has the foremost priority. This has created new markets for lightweight, broadband absorbing materials for airborne, land, and naval platforms. Also, the retrofitting of RAM for the older fleets of aircraft, ships, and ground vehicles is an emerging market aimed at modifying old systems to improve their stealthy features.
 

However, an observable shift towards civilian markets is emerging, particularly with autonomous cars, 5G and 6G telecommunication systems, as well as EMI shielding in aerospace applications. The integration of high-frequency radars used in self-driving cars and communication satellites creates a demand for improved radar-absorbing materials (RAM) at millimeter-wave and broadband frequency ranges. U.S. advanced companies are purchasing dielectric composites, hybrid absorbers as well as metamaterials because of these emerging needs.
 

Radar Absorbing Materials Market Share

Top 5 companies include 3M, L3Harris Technologies, Laird Technologies, MAJR Products, and Micromag have established a presence which allows them to penetrate the radar absorbing materials industry. The radar absorbing materials (RAM) market is primarily monopolized by defense contractors, electrotechnical shielding firms, and manufacturers of modern materials. 3M is among the leading participants in Advances RAM absorbing materials market due to its unparalleled experience in stealth coatings and composites employed in military and industrial stealth technologies.
 

Dodging RAM solutions into various platforms provides market dominance. Thales and L3Harris Technologies, who extensively use parts of the defense business and system integration. Thales is strong in Europe and dominates radar-evading systems aboard naval vessels and aircraft. L3Harris covers a large part of the market with high-frequency signal suppression and electromagnetic interference protection of RAM integrated into military electronics systems.”
 

Another defense contractor, Saab, maintains a significant share in Europe and allied markets, especially with the deployment of RAM aboard naval and air assets like the Gripen fighter. Trelleborg also contributes as a key mid-level player with its polymer and elastomer-based RAM materials used for marine and aerospace damping.
 

Laird Technologies now part of DuPont, serves a significant role in the commercial and defense crossover by supplying EMI shielding and dielectric RAM materials for telecommunications, automotive, and electronics, hybrid space. Although Laird is not focused on defense, their position in passive stealth and signal degradation provides for a strong mid-tier presence.
 

Turning to the emerging and niche market, MAJR Products has a steadfast titled share for the custom EMI shielding and radar-absorbing enclosures for defense electronics and shielded facilities. Micromag provides value with his advanced magnetic absorbers and other bespoke frequency designated components for the military high-performance grade.
 

Soliani EMC within Europe focuses on fabric and foam-based RAM utilization for exact military and industrial purposes, serving well in the upper segment. SLTL Group from India is gradually emerging in the RAM market due to domestic developments under national defense ventures, displaying potential. Wittenburg Group provides thermoplastic and elastomer components that are more incorporated into flexible RAM architecture, particularly for light weight structures.
 

Radar Absorbing Materials Market Companies

Major players operating in the radar absorbing materials industry are:

• 3M: 3M is a remarkable materials science company associated with numerous innovations in healthcare, consumer goods, electronics, automotive and defense. Leveraging its advanced knowledge in polymers, adhesives, and coatings, 3M provides excellent RAM solutions in the radar absorbing materials segment. All electromagnetic shielding films, microwave absorbers, conductive tapes, and stealth coatings that 3M produces are cornerstone materials for suppressing radar cross-section (RCS) for military systems.
   
• These RAM solutions are applied to aircraft, ships, ground vehicles, and fixed installations. 3M also designs and produces customizable lightweight materials to more aerospace and defense specifications for lowered profile detection and high durability against environmental conditions. With a consistent focus on research and development and an integrated approach to production, 3M leads the global marketplace for RAM products.
   
• Micromag: They operate out of Europe, with some magnetic absorbers engineered to perform from X-band to Ku-band and even beyond. Those have flexible magnetic sheets, shaped absorbers, and layered composites for use in radar stealth, EMI shielding, and anechoic chambers. UAVs, aircraft, and other electronic Warfare systems are some of the defense-grade applications where Micromag’s absorbers are used.
   
• Saab: An extraordinary defense system, military aircraft manufacturer, Saab AB is in Sweden and specializes in numerous advanced technology integrative fields. Saab’s key areas of competence and radar absorbing materials are interspersed with other major defense products such as stealth aircraft, naval vessels, and missile systems. Saab’s product portfolio also includes Stealth RAM coatings, composite panels, and structural materials for RCS reduction to aircraft like the Gripen fighter jet and naval frigates.
   
• Moreover, the company combines stealth shaping techniques with frequency selective surfaces and dielectric absorbers translating into advanced stealth shaping technology. Saab is known for its pioneering work in the region of non-diegetic RAM (reduced ability to detect material) technology which is tailored specifically for NATO systems. Within their comprehensive turnkey defense solutions, Saab includes unrivaled advanced materials for radar absorbent structures so they can defend seamlessly integrated combat platforms.
   
• SLTL Group: The SLTL Group (Sahajanand Laser Technology Ltd) is best known for its groundbreaking work in India on laser systems, industrial automation, and defense-grade technological applications. Traditionally focused on laser cutting, welding, and marking systems, SLTL has recently expanded into the defense and aerospace sectors with radar absorbing and stealth technology development. RAM offerings include advanced coating technologies, microwave shielding, and laser machined composites designed to absorb electromagnetic waves.
   
• SLT is part of India’s strategic attempt to gain self-reliance in defense manufacturing (Atmanirbhar Bharat) and sustain indigenous development of stealth technologies for UAVs, ground vehicles, and radar systems. While emerging in the global RAM market, SLTL integrates precision laser technology in the design and production of RAM components.
   

Radar Absorbing Materials Industry News

• In September 2024, 3M broadened its product portfolio to include offerings in the defense, telecommunications, and aerospace sectors. Advanced research and development activities within the company have maintained its leadership position in the industry by permitting the addition of exceptional performing RAM solutions.
   
• In July 2023, L3Harris Technologies was newly identified as a key player in the RAM market and added to the list of contributors in the Advanced Research and Technologies (ARTA) and industry in July 2023. The company has maintained a strong market position due to the rapid advances in RAM used for defense and aerospace radars.
   
• In November 2023, Micromag was acknowledged as a major participant in the RAM coating processes.
   

This radar absorbing materials market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue (USD Million) & volume (Kilo Tons) from 2021 to 2034, for the following segments:

Click here to Buy Section of this Report

Market, By Material Type

• Magnetic absorbers
  • Ferrites
  • Carbonyl iron
  • Others
• Dielectric absorbers
  • Carbon-based materials
  • Conductive polymers
  • Others
• Hybrid absorbers
  • Magnetic-dielectric composites
  • Multilayer structures
  • Others
• Impedance matching materials
• Metamaterial absorbers
• Frequency selective surfaces
• Others

Market, By Form

• Coatings & paints
  • Sprayable coatings
  • Brush-applied coatings
  • Others
• Sheets & films
• Foams & honeycombs
• Tiles & panels
• Molded components
• Others

Market, By Frequency Range

• Low frequency ( 1 GHZ)
• L & s bands (1-4 GHz)
• C band (4-8 GHz)
• X band (8-12 GHz)
• Ku, k & ka bands (12-40 GHz)
• Millimeter wave (> 40 GHz)
• Broadband (multiple frequency ranges)

Market, By Application

• Military aircraft
  • Combat aircraft
  • Bombers
  • Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVS)
  • Others
• Naval vessels
  • Surface ships
  • Submarines
  • Others
• Ground vehicles & systems
  • Armoured vehicles
  • Mobile radar systems
  • Others
• Missiles & projectiles
• Fixed installations
  • Command centers
  • Radar facilities
  • Others
• Civilian applications
  • EMI/RFI shielding
  • Telecommunications
  • Anechoic chambers
  • Others
• Others

Market, By End Use Industry

• Defense
  • Air Force
  • Navy
  • Army
  • Others
• Aerospace
  • Military aerospace
  • Commercial aerospace
  • Space applications
• Electronics & telecommunications
• Automotive
• Research & academia
• Others

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • UK
  • Germany
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Netherlands
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific 
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
  • Rest of Latin America 
• MEA
  • UAE
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • Rest of MEA