Market Insights
“The Aerospace and Defense Connectors Market size was US$5.2 billion in 2024 and is likely to grow at a moderate CAGR of 2.2% in the long run to reach US$6.6 billion in 2034.”
Introduction
Aerospace & defense (A&D) connectors are essential for ensuring reliable signal, power, data, and RF transmission in modern aircraft, spacecraft, and defense technologies. These connectors serve as the electrical backbone for mission-critical subsystems, connecting avionics, propulsion systems, flight control electronics, navigation units, communication modules, and sensors, all while withstanding harsh environmental conditions such as vibration, extreme temperatures, shock loads, and electromagnetic interference.
Market Drivers
The A&D connectors market is gaining traction as next-gen aircraft designs move towards more digital content, more electric aircraft (MEA), and the need for compact, lightweight, and high-speed data interfaces. The push for defense modernization, featuring advanced radars, electronic warfare systems, and increased investment in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) payloads, is driving the demand for rugged, high-density, and EMI-shielded connector solutions. Aerospace & defense original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are increasingly focusing on connectors that require less maintenance, offer modularity, and have a longer lifespan, all in response to operational cost pressures and the need for fleet availability. Moreover, the shift towards electric propulsion, hybrid aircraft technologies, and the commercialization of spacecraft is changing the requirements for connectors, with a preference for high-voltage, cryogenic-capable, and radiation-tolerant interconnects.
With the increase in aircraft production rates, rising defense budgets, and the ongoing miniaturization and digitization of aerospace electronics, the A&D connectors market is poised for strong growth over the next decade.
Recent Market JVs and Acquisitions:
A moderate number of strategic alliances, including M&As, JVs, etc., have been performed over the past few years:
- In 2019, TransDigm Group completed the acquisition of Esterline Technologies Corporation, including its connector business under brands like Souriau and Sunbank, consolidating a significant aerospace-quality connector portfolio.
- In 2021, Amphenol Corporation acquired Positronic Industries, a high-reliability and harsh-environment connector maker, strengthening its mil-aero and rugged connector offerings.
- In 2024 (January), Amphenol Corporation acquired Carlisle Interconnect Technologies (CIT) from Carlisle Companies Incorporated for approximately USD 2 billion, significantly enhancing its portfolio in harsh-environment connectors, cable assemblies, and sensors for commercial-aircraft and defense applications.
- In 2024 (December), Molex LLC completed the acquisition of AirBorn Inc., an aerospace & defense-grade connector and interconnect supplier, expanding its presence in rugged and mil-aero connector solutions. In June 2025, GE Aerospace acquired Northstar Aerospace, a manufacturer of gears, transmissions, and accessory gearbox assemblies for fixed-wing and rotorcraft platforms.
Segments' Analysis
|
Segmentations
|
List of Sub-Segments
|
Dominant and Fastest-Growing Segments
|
|
Platform-Type Analysis
|
Commercial Aircraft, Regional Aircraft, General Aviation, Military Aircraft, Helicopter, and Spacecraft
|
Commercial aircraft are likely to continue leading the market throughout the forecast period.
|
|
Product-Type Analysis
|
Signal/PCB, Power, RF Connectors, Fiber Optics, Ethernet, and Others
|
Fiber optic connectors are projected to record the fastest growth over the forecast period.
|
|
Shape-Type Analysis
|
Rectangular, Circular, and Others
|
Rectangular-shaped connectors are anticipated to mark the highest growth rate during the forecast period.
|
|
Application-Type Analysis
|
Avionics & Control Systems, Interior & IFE, Engine, Landing Gear, Airframe, and Others
|
The avionics & control systems segment is expected to retain its dominant position throughout the forecast period.
|
|
Sales-Channel Type
|
Direct Sales and Distributor Sales
|
Distributor sales are projected to remain the larger and faster-growing sales channel in the market.
|
|
End-User Type
|
OE and Aftermarket
|
Original Equipment (OE) is projected to remain the leading end-user segment for A&D connectors.
|
|
Regional Analysis
|
North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and The Rest of the World
|
North America is expected to maintain its position as the largest market for A&D connectors throughout the forecast period.
|
By Platform Type
“Commercial aircraft are expected to remain both the dominant and the fastest-growing platform of the market throughout the forecast period.”
The A&D connectors market is segmented by platform type into commercial aircraft, regional aircraft, general aviation, military aircraft, helicopter, and spacecraft.
Commercial aircraft is projected to continue leading the aerospace connectors market, supported by record production backlog at Airbus and Boeing, increasing digital cockpits, and a rising shift toward more-electric aircraft architecture. A primary reason for their lead is that commercial aircraft require significantly higher connector density than regional, military, or business aviation platforms. A modern A320neo or Boeing 787 integrates thousands of connectors across avionics, engine systems, power distribution, interiors, and IFE, giving commercial jets a structural advantage in unit consumption.
Commercial aircraft is also the fastest-growing because commercial OEMs are leading the way in adopting high-density rectangular modules, fiber-optic backbones, and miniaturized PCB connectors. These advancements are fueled by sophisticated cabin systems, connected flight decks, health monitoring, and a greater reliance on software. Additionally, upgrades to SATCOM, cybersecurity hardware, and sensor-rich avionics, even during mid-life retrofits, are driving up the demand for commercial connectors in both original equipment and the aftermarket.
By Product Type
“Signal/PCB connectors are expected to remain the dominant product category, whereas fiber-optic connectors are projected to experience the fastest growth throughout the forecast period.”
Based on product type, the market is segmented into signal/PCB, power, RF connectors, fiber optics, ethernet, and others.
Signal/PCB connectors will continue to dominate the aerospace & defense connectors market, mainly because they serve as the essential link for avionics, flight-control computers, line-replaceable units (LRUs), and distributed electrical systems, all of which grow directly with platform electronics. Their leading position is also connected to the broader trend in the industry, as the commercial aircraft tend to incorporate the most LRUs, which means that signal and PCB connectors are closely tied to the overall growth of the platform.
On the other hand, fiber-optic connectors are experiencing the fastest growth as they align with several major trends at once, such as high-speed avionics like ARINC 818, the evolution of AFDX networks, SATCOM upgrades, electro-optical/infrared sensors, and cutting-edge in-flight entertainment systems. As aircraft become more software-driven and data-intensive, fiber optics offers significant advantages like weight reduction, immunity to electromagnetic interference, higher data throughput, and long-distance signal integrity. This makes them crucial for modern fighter jets and upgrades to widebody aircraft. The same factors driving the demand for rectangular connectors, such as miniaturization and SWaP (Size, Weight, and Power) optimization, are also fueling the rise of fiber optics. This growth reflects a broader shift in technology rather than just a change at the product level.
By Shape Type
“Circular connectors currently hold the largest share of the market, but rectangular connectors are expected to grow the fastest and surpass all other types over the forecast period.”
The market is segmented into circular, rectangular, and others. Circular connectors lead the A&D connectors market due to their long-standing presence in older fleets, reliable sealing, military specifications, and their widespread use in critical components like engines, landing gear, and airframes. Their dominance is closely tied to the aftermarket, where decades-old aircraft still require circular replacements.
However, rectangular connectors are set to grow at the fastest pace and surpass all other types by 2034. This is fueled by they offer much higher contact density, modular plug-in designs for reconfigurable LRUs, and stronger SWaP advantages that align with the electronics-heavy architecture of modern aircraft. Their compatibility with emerging high-speed and fiber-optic modules further strengthens their position as platforms transition toward integrated modular avionics and data-centric networks. As next-generation commercial and military programs adopt more compact, digital, and distributed avionics systems, rectangular interfaces are increasingly favored in OE installations, putting them on a clear trajectory to surpass circular connectors over the coming decade.
By Application Type
“Avionics & control systems are expected to remain the leading application segment, while engine-related connector systems are projected to witness the fastest growth over the forecast period.”
The market is segmented into avionics & control systems, interior & IFE, engine, landing gear, airframe, and others.
Avionics and control systems are projected to maintain their leading position in the aerospace connectors market throughout the forecast period. This is mainly because they contain the highest number of signals and PCB connectors, which is the dominant product category. The avionics and control systems grow in direct proportion with the increasing complexity of digital flight control, advanced navigation systems, sensor fusion, cockpit connectivity, and integrated computing modules, creating a strong link with the Signal/PCB and rectangular connector segments.
On the other hand, engine applications are set to grow the fastest as next-generation turbofan engines increasingly adopt advanced health-monitoring architectures, hybrid-electric assist systems, and real-time thermal and vibration sensing. These technologies demand connector families that can withstand higher temperatures, provide stronger EMI resistance, and maintain reliable sealing in harsh engine environments. Growth in this segment is further reinforced by the transition toward high-temperature materials such as nickel alloys and advanced polymers, the expansion of more-electric engine subsystems, and the surge in OE production rates for new engine platforms. Additionally, engine connectors are becoming increasingly fiber-enabled, linking this application’s rapid growth to the broader shift toward high-bandwidth fiber-optic product categories across the A&D connectors market.
By End-User Type
“OE is expected to remain both the dominant and the faster-growing end-user throughout the forecast period.”
The market is segmented into OE and aftermarket. Original Equipment (OE) is expected to retain its dominance in the aerospace connectors market. The dominance of OE is reinforced by the rapid increase in commercial aircraft production and the certification of more-electric and hybrid-electric platforms. These newer models require a lot more connectors for each engine, nacelle, and avionics bay compared to older fleets. This trend closely aligns with the rising demand for rectangular, fiber-optic, and signal/PCB connectors.
OE demand is also set to grow at the fastest pace as the new platforms incorporate technologies that are not found in the legacy fleets, such as high-speed data networks, advanced power modules, and distributed sensing arrays. This means that connector counts are on the rise during the line-fit stage, well before these needs make their way to the aftermarket.
By Sales-Channel Type
“Distributor sales are projected to maintain their lead in the market while also recording the highest growth rate during the forecast period.”
The market is segmented into direct sales and distributor sales. Distributor sales are expected to retain their dominant position in the A&D connectors market because the aerospace industry relies heavily on high-mix, low-volume connector procurement, something that distributors handle much more effectively than direct OEM channels. With AS9100-certified inventories that include everything from legacy circular connectors to the latest rectangular and fiber-optic options, distributors are perfectly positioned at the crossroads of various product and shape transitions in the market.
The distributor channel is also projected to grow at the fastest rate due to an increase in commercial MRO activity, mid-life digital cockpit upgrades that require updated interconnects, and the necessity to provide obsolete or QPL-listed components that manufacturers don’t produce consistently anymore. Consequently, distributors have emerged as the most versatile and responsive sales channel, meeting simultaneous demands from OE production, aftermarket replacement cycles, and platform modernization programs across both commercial and defense fleets.
Regional Analysis
“North America is likely to retain its dominant share of the market, whereas Asia-Pacific is projected to see the most significant growth during the forecast period.”
North America is expected to maintain its leadership in the aerospace connectors market due to its deep-rooted ecosystem of aircraft OEMs, defense contractors, and avionics system suppliers. The region hosts major commercial aircraft production lines, extensive MRO networks, and Tier-1 electrical system integrators that rely heavily on high-reliability interconnect systems for wiring harnesses, avionics suites, flight-control electronics, power distribution units, and engine subsystems. Long-running defense modernization programs, covering fighter jets, transport aircraft, rotorcraft, and spacecraft systems, continue to generate sustained demand for ruggedized, EMI-shielded, and hermetically sealed connectors. Additionally, the rapid adoption of next-generation avionics architectures (fly-by-wire upgrades, modular open systems, high-speed data backbones) reinforces the region’s requirement for advanced signal and high-speed fiber-optic connector families.
Asia-Pacific, on the other hand, is anticipated to register the fastest growth, fueled by strong commercial fleet expansion and escalating indigenous aircraft manufacturing programs. Countries such as China, India, Japan, and South Korea are increasing their investment in electrical and avionics integration capabilities, driving procurement of high-performance interconnects for new narrow-body programs, advanced trainers, and unmanned platforms. The surge in aircraft deliveries to support rising passenger traffic is also accelerating demand for connectors in wiring harnesses, cabin systems, power management units, and engine compartments. Moreover, APAC’s expanding MRO sector is shifting from basic maintenance to component-level upgrades, boosting retrofit demand for high-speed, lightweight, and miniaturized connectors. Over the next decade, this combination of production, expansion, and modernization initiatives is expected to make Asia-Pacific the strongest growth engine for aerospace connectors worldwide.
