The military electronics industry is booming. During the 2017 fiscal year, which begins this October, the US military electronics budget is set to increase significantly. The US Department of Defense is asking Congress for $10.74 billion for procurement and research in military communications, electronics, telecommunications, and intelligence technologies. This projected budget is the highest it has been in at least three years.
It is anticipated that the Army will be spending its budget on the Warfighter Information Network-Tactical Ground Forces Tactical Network, the Defense Enterprise Wideband Satellite Communications Systems, the Handheld Small Form Fit digital radio, the Distributed Common Ground System – Army, and communications security.
The Navy is planning to spend its budget on fast attack submarine acoustic equipment, AN/SLQ-32 shipboard electronic warfare equipment, the Fixed Surveillance System deep-sea sonar system, the Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services tactical shipboard network, shipboard tactical communications, and shipboard information warfare.
The Air Force will likely use its expenditures on air traffic control and landing systems, communications security equipment, tactical communications and electronics equipment, and the Minimal Essential Emergency Communications Network.
The $10.74 billion budget request does not include military activities with even more substantial electronics content, such as aircraft avionics, vetronics, and missile guidance. When these activities are added, the budget could approach $90 billion.
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Source:
Keller, John. (2016). Military electronics spending for communications and intelligence heading upward in 2017. Military & Aerospace Electronics.
