Aircraft Arresting System Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Type (Mobile Aircraft Arresting System (MAAS), Net Barrier, Cable, Aircraft Carrier Arresting System, Engineered Material Arresting System (EMAS)), By Platform Type (Ship-based, Ground-based), By System Type (Portable System, Fixed System), By End Use Type (Commercial Aircraft, Aircraft Carrier, Military Airbase), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 1.59 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	7.54%
Fastest Growing Segment	Engineered Material Arresting System (EMAS)
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 2.46 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Aircraft Arresting System Market will grow from USD 1.59 Billion in 2025 to USD 2.46 Billion by 2031 at a 7.54% CAGR. Aircraft arresting systems are mechanical assemblies or engineered materials utilized to decelerate aircraft during emergency landings or short field operations. Market growth is primarily sustained by increased defense appropriations for naval aviation updates and stricter civil aviation safety mandates regarding runway excursion prevention. According to the International Air Transport Association, in 2024, global passenger demand rose by 21.5 percent in February compared to the previous year, highlighting the surge in air traffic that drives the requirement for enhanced infrastructure safety.

However, the high cost of installation and ongoing maintenance presents a significant barrier to market expansion. This financial requirement frequently deters the adoption of such systems at smaller airports where budget allocations are limited.

Key Market Drivers

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Rising global defense budgets and military modernization initiatives serve as the primary catalyst for the aircraft arresting system market. As geopolitical tensions escalate, nations are aggressively upgrading airbases to accommodate heavier, faster fourth and fifth-generation combat aircraft. This modernization necessitates the installation of advanced energy-absorbing systems capable of managing higher engagement speeds and protecting high-value assets during emergency recovery operations. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, April 2024, in the 'Trends in World Military Expenditure, 2023' Fact Sheet, global military spending grew by 6.8 percent in real terms to reach $2443 billion in 2023. This substantial fiscal increase directly supports the procurement of both fixed and mobile arresting gear essential for maintaining operational readiness.

The mandatory implementation of strict runway safety area standards further propels market demand, particularly within the civil aviation sector. Regulatory bodies increasingly enforce the installation of Engineered Materials Arresting Systems (EMAS) to prevent catastrophic overruns at land-constrained airports. According to Allianz Commercial, July 2024, in the 'Aviation Risk, Claims and Insurance Outlook' report, collision and crash incidents—including runway excursions—accounted for 63 percent of the value of all aviation insurance claims over the past five years. This critical financial risk compels operators to invest in passive deceleration technologies. Furthermore, general fleet expansion intensifies this infrastructure requirement. According to Boeing, July 2024, in the 'Commercial Market Outlook 2024', the sector will require nearly 44,000 new airplanes through 2043, thereby creating sustained demand for upgraded safety mechanisms globally.

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Key Market Challenges

The high cost associated with the installation and ongoing maintenance of aircraft arresting systems acts as a substantial restraint on market growth. These mechanical assemblies and engineered materials require significant upfront capital expenditure for site preparation, specialized construction, and raw materials. Beyond the initial investment, facility operators must commit to long-term financial obligations for rigorous routine inspections, weather-related repairs, and component replacements to ensure compliance with safety standards. For regional and smaller airports operating with tight fiscal margins, these cumulative costs often necessitate the postponement of arresting system projects in favor of other immediate operational infrastructure needs.

This financial burden is further exacerbated by the rising costs of general airport infrastructure development, which limits the available budget for specialized safety enhancements. When capital expenses inflate, the ability of operators to fund non-revenue-generating safety upgrades diminishes. According to Airports Council International (ACI) World, in 2024, it was reported that global airport capital costs increased by 4 percent to reach $40 billion in the preceding fiscal year, while revenues remained below pre-pandemic benchmarks. This economic disparity restricts the financial flexibility of operators, making it difficult to allocate sufficient funds for the procurement and upkeep of these deceleration systems, thereby directly slowing the market's expansion.

Key Market Trends

The deployment of mobile arresting systems for expeditionary operations is rapidly reshaping the sector as defense strategies shift toward dispersed combat aviation. To support concepts such as Agile Combat Employment, military forces are prioritizing the procurement of portable, rapidly deployable recovery mechanisms that function effectively on austere or damaged runways where fixed infrastructure is unavailable. This capability ensures operational continuity and force survivability by allowing tactical aircraft to land in unpredictable locations without relying on permanent airbase facilities. According to SAM.gov, September 2025, in the 'Award Notice FA8534-25-D-0014', Hydraulics International Inc. was awarded a contract valued at approximately $245.9 million to supply Mobile Aircraft Arresting Systems (MAAS) specifically designed to meet these critical expeditionary recovery requirements.

Simultaneously, the transition from legacy hydraulic units to electromagnetic aircraft arresting gear represents a fundamental technological shift in naval aviation. Unlike traditional mechanical systems, these digital architectures utilize software-controlled energy absorbers to provide precise deceleration for a diverse range of airframes, from lightweight unmanned aerial vehicles to heavy strike fighters, while significantly lowering lifecycle maintenance demands. This move towards electrification addresses the limitations of hydraulic gears in managing the variable weights and engagement speeds of mixed carrier air wings. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, December 2025, in the 'Contracts For Dec. 22, 2025' release, General Atomics received a $149.9 million contract to provide engineering and logistics support for the electromagnetic Advanced Arresting Gear and launch systems on Ford-class carriers.

Segmental Insights

The Engineered Material Arresting System segment represents the fastest-growing category within the global aircraft arresting system market. This rapid expansion is principally driven by stringent safety mandates regarding Runway Safety Areas enforced by regulatory bodies such as the Federal Aviation Administration and the International Civil Aviation Organization. As numerous commercial airports face geographical limitations that prevent the construction of standard safety zones, these cellular cement systems provide a necessary alternative to safely decelerate aircraft during overrun incidents. Consequently, airport operators are increasingly investing in this technology to comply with international safety standards without requiring extensive land acquisition.

Regional Insights

North America leads the global aircraft arresting system market due to substantial defense budgets and a large inventory of military aircraft requiring runway safety mechanisms. The United States Department of Defense prioritizes regular infrastructure upgrades, sustaining demand for net and cable systems at airbases. Additionally, the Federal Aviation Administration supports market growth through regulations necessitating Engineered Materials Arresting Systems at commercial airports with limited runway safety areas. The presence of established manufacturers in the region further solidifies this position by facilitating efficient supply chain management and ongoing technical support for these critical safety installations.

Recent Developments

• In March 2025, Runway Safe successfully completed the installation of its Engineered Material Arresting System at Queenstown Airport in New Zealand, marking the first deployment of this technology in the Australasian region. The project involved installing the company's EMASMAX beds at both ends of the main runway to enhance safety by safely decelerating aircraft that might overrun the tarmac. This installation was a critical safety upgrade for the airport, designed to crush reliably under the weight of an aircraft to bring it to a controlled stop. The successful completion demonstrated the expanding global footprint of engineered arresting solutions and highlighted the company's role in improving runway safety standards for commercial aviation in challenging geographical locations.
• In September 2024, Curtiss-Wright Corporation announced that it had been awarded a $26 million contract by the Belgian Air Force to modernize aircraft arresting systems across three major airbases. Under this agreement, the company committed to providing new cable systems and comprehensive turnkey services to support the operational readiness of the F-35 lightning II aircraft. The modernization program included the installation of the company’s proprietary SmartArrest system, a computerized energy absorber designed to automatically manage the arrestment of multiple fighter platforms. This contract reinforced the company's presence in the global defense market, ensuring the standardization of emergency recovery configurations at the Florennes, Kleine-Brogel, and Beauvechain airbases.
• In September 2024, QinetiQ received a significant contract from General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems to deliver critical control hardware and software for the Advanced Arresting Gear and the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System. This agreement focused on supplying technology for the future USS Doris Miller (CVN 81), the fourth Ford-class aircraft carrier for the U.S. Navy. The contract extended a long-standing collaboration between the two companies, with production slated to take place at QinetiQ’s facility in Franklin, Massachusetts. This development underscored the continued demand for sophisticated control electronics within the aircraft arresting system market, ensuring reliable recovery capabilities for next-generation naval aviation platforms.
• In July 2024, General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems disclosed its strategic initiative to adapt ship-based aircraft launch and recovery technologies for land-based expeditionary operations. The company outlined its research into modifying the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System and Advanced Arresting Gear, originally developed for Ford-class aircraft carriers, to support military operations at austere airfields. This development aimed to provide the U.S. Marine Corps and other forces with mobile capabilities for launching and arresting fighter jets on shorter, temporary runways. The initiative highlighted the potential for these advanced arresting systems to facilitate distributed aviation operations in contested environments, expanding the market application of electromagnetic recovery technologies beyond naval vessels.

Key Market Players

• General Atomics
• Runway Safe Group AB
• Scandinavian Manufacturing SCAMA AB
• The Boeing Company
• Safran SA
• The QinetiQ Group
• Curtiss-Wright Corporation
• Sojitz Aerospace Corporation
• Honeywell International Inc.
• MacTaggart, Scott and Company Limited

By Type	By Platform Type	By System Type	By End Use Type	By Region
Mobile Aircraft Arresting System (MAAS) Net Barrier Cable Aircraft Carrier Arresting System Engineered Material Arresting System (EMAS)	Ship-based Ground-based	Portable System Fixed System	Commercial Aircraft Aircraft Carrier Military Airbase	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Aircraft Arresting System Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Aircraft Arresting System Market, By Type:

• Mobile Aircraft Arresting System (MAAS)
• Net Barrier
• Cable
• Aircraft Carrier Arresting System
• Engineered Material Arresting System (EMAS)

• Aircraft Arresting System Market, By Platform Type:

• Ship-based
• Ground-based

• Aircraft Arresting System Market, By System Type:

• Portable System
• Fixed System

• Aircraft Arresting System Market, By End Use Type:

• Commercial Aircraft
• Aircraft Carrier
• Military Airbase

• Aircraft Arresting System Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE