United States RF Test Equipment Market By Type (Oscilloscopes, Signal Generators, Spectrum Analyzers, Network Analyzers, Others), By Form Factor (Benchtop, Portable, Modular), By Frequency (Less than 1 GHZ Band, 1 GHz to 6 GHz, More Than 6 GHz), By Application (Telecommunication, Automotive, Industrial, Aerospace & Defence, Consumer Electronics, Research & Education, Medical, Others), By Region, Competition, Forecast and Opportunities, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 1.46 BIllion
CAGR (2026-2031)	8.71%
Fastest Growing Segment	Modular
Largest Market	Northeast
Market Size (2031)	USD 2.41 BIllion

Market Overview

The United States RF Test Equipment Market will grow from USD 1.46 BIllion in 2025 to USD 2.41 BIllion by 2031 at a 8.71% CAGR. RF test equipment comprises specialized instruments such as signal generators and spectrum analyzers used to generate signals and measure the performance of wireless devices. The market is fundamentally driven by the accelerating deployment of 5G infrastructure and the increasing intricacy of Internet of Things devices that require rigorous connectivity validation. Additionally, the incorporation of radar and wireless systems within the automotive sector supports the need for precise verification tools. According to CTIA, in 2024, the United States wireless industry invested $30 billion to build and upgrade networks, demonstrating the robust capital expenditure that necessitates advanced testing capabilities.

However, the market encounters a substantial challenge regarding the high acquisition costs of modern test systems. The significant financial outlay required for instruments capable of analyzing high frequencies restricts procurement opportunities for smaller enterprises and research laboratories. This economic constraint often prolongs the usage of legacy equipment and delays the adoption of newer technologies, which can impede the overall rate of market expansion.

Key Market Drivers

The rapid expansion of 5G infrastructure and millimeter-wave technology necessitates high-performance testing instrumentation to validate complex signal integrity and spectral efficiency. As network operators densify deployments to support higher frequency bands, the demand for specialized spectrum analyzers and signal generators has surged to ensure devices meet rigorous connectivity standards. According to 5G Americas, September 2024, in the 'Global 5G Connections Exceeds 2 Billion' report, 5G connections in North America reached 242 million in the second quarter of 2024, reflecting the massive scale of device proliferation requiring conformance testing. This widespread adoption drives a continuous need for validation tools to ensure network reliability. Furthermore, according to Ericsson, November 2024, in the 'Mobility Report', North America is expected to attain a 5G subscription penetration of 71 percent by the end of the year, underscoring the region's critical role in driving advanced wireless technology demand.

The modernization of aerospace and defense electronic warfare systems further stimulates market growth as the United States prioritizes electromagnetic spectrum dominance. Defense agencies are increasingly investing in sophisticated radar and jamming capabilities that require precise calibration equipment to simulate dense threat environments. This trend is exemplified by significant capital allocation; according to RTX Corporation, December 2024, in a contract announcement, its Raytheon business was awarded a $590 million contract to manufacture the Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band system for the U.S. Navy. Such investments in next-generation electronic attack platforms directly translate into procurement opportunities for modular and software-defined RF test instruments. These tools are essential for verifying that critical defense electronics meet stringent performance standards before deployment in contested theaters.

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Key Market Challenges

The high acquisition cost associated with modern test systems presents a substantial barrier to the expansion of the United States RF test equipment market. Specialized instruments required for validating complex high-frequency applications demand significant capital investment, which often exceeds the budgetary limits of small and medium-sized enterprises. This financial constraint forces many organizations to extend the operational life of legacy hardware rather than upgrading to current technologies. Such delays in procurement directly impede market turnover and reduce the overall volume of new equipment sales.

This economic pressure is particularly acute given the rapid scaling of wireless networks that require consistent verification. According to GSMA, in 2024, 5G adoption in North America reached 61% of total mobile connections. While this widespread integration underscores an urgent demand for testing, the prohibitive expense of the necessary instrumentation limits the number of capable testing facilities. As a result, the market experiences a bottleneck where the potential customer base is narrowed solely to large organizations with substantial capital resources, effectively stifling growth from the broader ecosystem.

Key Market Trends

The transition to software-defined RF instrumentation is reshaping the United States market by replacing rigid hardware with flexible, programmable architectures. This shift allows engineers to update testing capabilities through software upgrades, extending the operational lifecycle of test systems and addressing the need for cost-efficient scalability. The growing reliance on these scalable solutions is evident in the revenue streams of major industry players. According to Keysight Technologies, January 2025, in the '2024 Annual Report', the company's annual recurring revenue from software and services grew to approximately $1.5 billion. This financial indicator underscores the increasing value customers place on software-centric environments to maintain adaptability in a rapidly evolving wireless landscape.

Simultaneously, the advancement into terahertz frequency testing for 6G research drives the development of instruments capable of operating beyond current millimeter-wave limits. As researchers explore the sub-terahertz spectrum to unlock terabit speeds, there is an urgent requirement for specialized vector component analyzers that maintain signal integrity at extreme frequencies. This technological progression was highlighted when, according to Keysight Technologies, June 2025, in the 'Keysight, NTT, and NTT Innovative Devices Achieve 280 Gbps World Record Data Rate with Sub-Terahertz for 6G' announcement, a platform successfully validated a data transmission rate of 280 Gbps in the 300 GHz band. Such breakthroughs underscore the vital role of advanced instrumentation in paving the way for future 6G commercialization.

Segmental Insights

The Modular segment is emerging as the fastest-growing category in the United States RF Test Equipment Market, driven by the increasing demand for flexible and scalable testing architectures. Industry players favor these systems to accommodate rapid technological shifts in wireless standards like 5G and Wi-Fi. Modular instruments allow for seamless upgrades, ensuring continuous compliance with spectrum regulations enforced by the Federal Communications Commission without requiring complete equipment replacement. This adaptability offers significant cost advantages and operational efficiency, thereby fueling the widespread adoption of modular platforms among US telecommunications manufacturers.

Regional Insights

Based on insights from trusted market research, the Northeast United States commands the leading position in the United States RF Test Equipment Market. This regional dominance is primarily driven by a dense concentration of major telecommunications headquarters and defense contractors, particularly in hubs like New York and Boston. The region leads in the early deployment of 5G infrastructure and advanced network research, creating substantial demand for precise testing instruments. Additionally, the presence of prestigious academic and research institutions fosters continuous innovation in radio frequency technologies, further solidifying the Northeast's status as the principal market driver.

Recent Developments

• In February 2025, Keysight Technologies expanded its radio frequency and microwave instrument portfolio by launching a suite of new compact test solutions. The introduction included advanced analog and vector signal generators, as well as RF synthesizers supporting frequencies up to 54 GHz. Designed to deliver high signal purity and rapid switching speeds, these instruments addressed the critical requirements of the wireless communication and defense industries. The new products were engineered to accelerate the development and manufacturing of next-generation components, such as those used in 5G and radar systems, by offering versatile and space-efficient testing capabilities for complex RF environments.
• In July 2024, National Instruments introduced a new 3-in-1 PXI instrumentation solution designed to optimize radio frequency testing workflows. By combining the PXIe-5633 Vector Network Analyzer with the PXIe-5842 Vector Signal Transceiver, the company created a unified system capable of signal analysis, generation, and network analysis in a single test insertion. This integrated approach allowed engineers to characterize RF components with enhanced efficiency, eliminating the need for multiple standalone instruments. The launch addressed the increasing complexity of wireless standards, providing a scalable and high-performance platform suitable for rigorous validation tasks in the semiconductor and aerospace sectors.
• In June 2024, Rohde & Schwarz and VIAVI Solutions Inc. expanded their partnership to provide advanced testing solutions for Open Radio Units (O-RU) in the United States. This collaboration was specifically aligned with the goals of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund. By integrating the Vector Signal Generator and Spectrum Analyzer from Rohde & Schwarz with the TM500 O-RU Tester from VIAVI, the companies created a unified testbed. This solution aimed to verify interoperability and compliance for open radio access networks, addressing the technical challenges faced by manufacturers in the evolving 5G infrastructure market.
• In January 2024, Anritsu Corporation announced a strategic collaboration with ASUS to validate the performance of devices utilizing the IEEE 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7) standard. This partnership, centered at Anritsu's facility in Morgan Hill, California, utilized the Wireless Connectivity Test Set MT8862A to evaluate the radio frequency capabilities of the latest ASUS smartphones. The initiative focused on assessing the 320 MHz bandwidth and 4096 QAM modulation features of the Wi-Fi 7 specification. This effort ensured that the new mobile devices met the stringent signal quality and connectivity benchmarks required for successful deployment in the United States telecommunications market.

Key Market Players

• Keysight Technologies, Inc.
• Rohde & Schwarz USA, Inc.
• Anritsu Corporation
• TEKTRONIX, INC.
• National Instruments Corporation
• Fortive Corporation
• Cobham Limited
• VIAVI Solutions Inc.
• Wireless Telecom Group, Inc.
• Thales Group

By Type	By Form Factor	By Frequency	By Application	By Region
Oscilloscopes Signal Generators Spectrum Analyzers Network Analyzers Others	Benchtop Portable Modular	Less than 1 GHZ Band 1 GHz to 6 GHz More Than 6 GHz	Telecommunication Automotive Industrial Aerospace & Defence Consumer Electronics Research & Education Medical Others	Northeast Midwest South West

Report Scope:

In this report, the United States RF Test Equipment Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• United States RF Test Equipment Market, By Type:

• Oscilloscopes
• Signal Generators
• Spectrum Analyzers
• Network Analyzers
• Others

• United States RF Test Equipment Market, By Form Factor:

• Benchtop
• Portable
• Modular

• United States RF Test Equipment Market, By Frequency:

• Less than 1 GHZ Band
• 1 GHz to 6 GHz
• More Than 6 GHz

• United States RF Test Equipment Market, By Application:

• Telecommunication
• Automotive
• Industrial
• Aerospace & Defence
• Consumer Electronics
• Research & Education
• Medical
• Others

• United States RF Test Equipment Market, By Region:

• Northeast
• Midwest
• South
• West