The smart textiles for the military market are anticipated to register a CAGR of over 10% during the forecast period.
The growing need for supportive and performance-enhancing garments has led to the rapid induction of smart textiles in the military sector. Governments worldwide are focusing on equipping their soldiers with the latest firearms, including sophisticated military clothing that enhances the soldiers’ performance during combat operations.
Developments in sensors and actuators’ technology have enabled the production of miniaturised products, which can be integrated without significantly increasing the weight of military uniforms or other similar products.
Technological advancement in wearable textiles are driving the market growth
The amalgamation of electronics with clothing has revolutionised the textile industry and became a precursor to the evolution of smart textiles. Traditional smart fabrics, such as metallic silk, organza, stainless steel filament, meta-clad aramid fibre, conductive polymer fibre, conductive polymer coating, and special carbon fibres are used for manufacturing the fabric sensors, while conductive yarn, conductive rubber, and conductive ink have been developed into sensors or used as an interconnection substrate.
Researchers have already integrated materials such as metallic, optical fibres and conductive polymers into the textile structure, thus supplying electrical conductivity, sensing, and data transmission capabilities to smart textiles. Organic polymers may provide a solution to overcome the stiffness of inorganic crystals such as silicon.
Researchers are focusing on dual-channel data transfer capable fibres, colour-changing fibres and fibres that can store electricity and are developing the ability to create wearable power sources for military applications. The development of power source textiles and connectors in body armour and similar fabrics are crucial to creating a system with extreme reliability and user-friendliness. Such developments are expected to propel the market growth during the forecast period.
Competitive landscape
Smart textiles for the military market is fragmented, with several smart textile manufacturers vying for a dominant market share. Some of the prominent players in the market are TenCate Fabrics, W.L. Gore & Associates Inc., Milliken & Company, Schoeller Textile AG, DuPont de Nemours Inc., amongst others.
The market is emerging, with a lot of scope for technological advancements. Since several countries now realise the importance of these smart textiles on the battlefield, significant investments in R&D are anticipated from many countries, which may provide new opportunities for the local players during the forecast period.
Source: Business Wire
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