Stealth Materials and Coatings Market - By Material Type, By Application, - Global Forecast, 2025 - 2034

Stealth Materials and Coatings Market Size

The global stealth materials and coatings market size was estimated at USD 146.4 million in 2024 and is estimated to grow at 6.3% CAGR from 2025 to 2034. Growth drivers in this market consist of increasing investments in next-generation defense platforms, including stealth aircraft, UAVs, and naval vessels, among others, as well as many developments in radar-absorbing and infrared-suppressing technologies.
 

Stealth materials and coatings are increasingly being adopted across defense, aerospace, and automotive sectors, translating into an overall growth of 5.8 % CAGR between 2021 and 2024. The change is primarily owing to the increasing demand for radar-absorbing and infrared-suppressing technologies where low observable (LO) capabilities are mission-critical. The trend toward lighter, tougher, and multi-spectral stealth materials-coupling carbon composites with metamaterials and magnetic coatings-is transforming platform design for the next generation of fighter jets, UAVs, and naval vessels.
 

This market for stealth materials and coatings is growing immensely due to government initiatives. For instance, the U.S. Department of Defense has considerably increased its funding for science and technology, with Congress appropriating USD 22.4 billion in fiscal year 2023, which is an increase from the USD 16.5 billion it initially asked for. This increase is aimed specifically at the R&D of certain technologies, including stealth technologies, to give U.S. military capabilities a strategic advantage. Funding truly aids the incorporation of new stealth materials into next-generation defense platforms, thereby boosting operational effectiveness which is, in turn, favoring the growth of the market.
 

Materials and coatings for military platforms are on the rise since global defense priorities are now focused on low observability. The Congressional Research Service states that the U.S. Air Force spent USD 2.87 billion on the B-21 Raider stealth bomber program, as of FY2021, showing the scale of government investment in radar-absorbing and infrared-suppressing technologies. Such expenditures signify the strategic importance and occasion faster adoption of advanced stealth materials in alleviating the survivability and effectiveness of next-generation aircraft, naval vessels, and unmanned systems.
 

Stealth Materials and Coatings Market Trends

• Technology Innovation: Strong innovations in nanotechnology led to the introduction of coatings with better radar absorption capacity and durability. Such developments are now being incorporated into defense systems to enhance their stealth capability and operational efficacy. With the incorporation of nanoparticles into coatings, materials have emerged that are capable of high durability and environmental resistance, making them especially useful in various operating conditions.
   
• Potential impact of U.S. tariffs on raw materials: Potential extension of Trump-era tariffs, including a 25% tariff on imported steel and aluminum, could significantly affect cost dynamics within the covert materials and coatings market. These metals are primarily included as structural substrates or alloy components in radar-absorbing materials (RAM) and advanced defense platforms. If these tariffs are indeed introduced or reinstated, especially under future shifts in U.S. trade policy, manufacturers are likely to face increased raw material costs. This scenario might promote supply chain diversification or increased investment in alternative composites and localized production capabilities across the board, altering the sourcing strategies in the defense and aerospace coatings segment.
   
• Integration of Artificial Intelligence: The adoption of AI into the stealth system is improving the application and efficacy of the stealth material. The particular technology, AI-enabled adaptive coatings, will adjust its physical attributes in response to environmental changes to maintain its stealth properties as efficiently as possible. This phenomenon indeed constitutes a driving engine for intelligent coating development intended toward the enhancement of survivability and efficiency under operational conditions even in complex combat scenarios.
   

Tariffs Impact

The U.S. increased tariff levels in March 2025, which disturbed well-established international trade channels. Major suppliers, including Germany, Japan, and South Korea must now endure an additional 25% cost increase on the stealth materials they provide to U.S. defense contractors. The United States and India, which heavily depend on imported materials. The price of raw stealth materials is projected to increase by 10–15% while present procurement delays occur in defense and aerospace programs worldwide.
 

The U.S. government put a 90-day tariff hold in place for international nations despite raising the conflict between itself and China.  The dual role of China as a raw material provider (albeit through rare earths for stealth coatings) while emerging as a defense export competitor has worsened U.S.-China diplomatic relations. Under the current circumstances China has initiated counter-tariff measures against U.S. defense-related imports which hampers American manufacturers utilizing Chinese components for stealth equipment and coatings.
 

This trade war generates adverse outcomes for both U.S. manufacturers, who face increased production costs, as well as global producers who experience revenue loss from reduced export deals. The new trade restrictions might generate chances for suppliers from markets that remain unaffected because the United States and China need to restructure their trading connections and seek new procurement possibilities in response to their changing strategies.
 

Stealth Materials and Coatings Market Analysis

In 2024, the stealth materials and coatings industry was segmented by material type into carbon-based composites, magnetic materials, metamaterials, radar absorbing materials (RAM), infrared suppression coatings, and others segments. Radar Absorbing Materials (RAM) segment accounted for 27.5% of total market, as to enhance detection avoidance capabilities their role becomes crucial.
 

• Radar-absorbing materials (RAMs) have grown into the dominant segment, with a growing demand for stealth in defense applications, in which low detectability is paramount, RAMs are engineered to coat surfaces in order to absorb radar waves emitted by radar systems so that the reflected signals are less powerful, and thereby less visible to radar detection of aircraft, naval vessels, and ground vehicles. The effectiveness of RAM systems in the stealth arena has virtually guaranteed their ubiquitous adoption, thus becoming a pillar of contemporary defense posture.
   
• In 2024, Chinese military scientists made a remarkable development in ultrathin iron-based stealth coating, especially for bringing about cost-effective and scalable solutions for enhancing stealth in various platforms. The coating thereby constitutes a more economical alternative to conventional radar-absorbing materials, bringing in the possibility of making stealth technology much more viable beyond elite military application. Iron-based coating minimizes radar cross-section, along with high durability and performance properties which represent an important step toward wider acceptance and usability of stealth materials.

The application segment in 2024 is mostly split into Aerospace, automotive, defense, and Others. Defense dominates the market share, holding a considerable 50%, while aerospace comes next. This dominance is primarily due to the increasing demand for lightweight, radar-absorbing materials in military vehicles, aircraft, and naval vessels to enhance stealth capabilities and fuel efficiency.
 

• The defense sector controls the stealth materials and coatings market to fulfill growing demands for advanced stealth technologies during military operations. Military aircraft together with naval vessels and ground vehicles receive extensive stealth coatings for reducing detection through radar cross-section (RCS) and infrared signatures thereby improving their operational effectiveness and survivability.
   
• Market expansion supports the increasing investments aimed at new generation aircraft platforms requiring reduced radar and infrared visibility. Low observability during critical missions on these modern fighter jets F-35 Lightning II and B-21 Raider is conferred by radar-absorbing materials and metamaterials. With the increasing reconnaissance and surveillance requirements of unmanned aerial vehicles, light-weight coatings optimized for stealth and designed to avoid detection in hostile environments are gaining augmented importance.

The U.S. market for stealth materials and coatings has been rising considerably due to the sustained modernization of defense programs and added investments for next-generation military platforms. With over 82% market share, U.S. is leading the global stealth materials and coatings market that is valued at USD 24.2 billion in 2024.
 

• Strict export regulations implemented by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) have created a conducive environment for the U.S. to lead in the stealth materials and coatings industry. Restrictions on foreign access to sensitive stealth technologies have, in fact, driven the domestic innovation and the production of those technologies. This regulatory focus, on one hand, strengthens national security, while on the other hand, it builds the perception of the U.S. being a dominant player with a strong and self-sustaining ecosystem.
   
• Canada also has a contribution in this growth, and the chemical sector in Canada is also facing increasing legislative as well as regulatory changes. According to the Canadian Paint and Coatings Association, some new proposed regulations under the Chemicals Management Plan are reviewing a lot of substances that are used in paint and coatings products. These developments in legislation and regulation at the time are expected to affect the stealth materials and coatings industry through their influence on the formulation and use of such products in defense and aerospace industries.
   

Stealth Materials and Coatings Market Share

The stealth materials and coatings industry is highly competitive, and its major key players known for their innovative initiatives are Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems, QinetiQ, Intermat Defense, and Axalta Coating Systems. Northrop Grumman, the largest defense contractor based in the U.S., consistently invests in R&D while participating in strategic defense programs for the permanent advancement of radar-absorbing materials and low-observable technologies. BAE Systems and QinetiQ are U.K. based companies that are now developing advanced adaptive camouflage and working on the development of metamaterials aimed at multispectral stealth improvement across military platforms. Intermat Defense is a France-based company. It specializes in infrared-suppressing coatings and thermal camouflage. It is increasing its footprint across Europe and the Middle East. Axalta Coating Systems, one of the major U.S. coatings manufacturers, expanded its portfolio of defense-grade coatings to incorporate durable low-reflectivity finishes for military aerospace and naval applications.
 

Stealth Materials and Coatings Market Companies

Top 5 stealth materials and coatings industry leaders:
 

• Northrop Grumman is a major player in the market which provides stealth materials and coatings for radar absorbing technologies and low observable platforms. The firm has expertise in integrating stealth coatings onto advanced defense systems like the B-2 Spirit and the awaited B-21 Raider bomber. Their strategic investment in research and development and material science has bolstered the survival and detection-avoidance capabilities of military assets.
   
• BAE Systems is also a key player in stealth materials and coatings industry, with proficiencies in electromagnetic signature management and low-key visibility solutions. These involve countermeasures such as radar-absorbing materials and infrared suppression coatings on many defense platforms-from naval vessels to armoured vehicles to combat aircraft. Modular solutions for stealth are designed for manufacturer integration across a variety of military systems, including both legacy upgrades and development of next-generation platforms.
   
• QinetiQ functions as a defense technology organization based in the United Kingdom that concentrates its work on stealth materials for signature management and survivability systems. The firm established superior coatings to minimize radar cross-section along with NATO defense forces to integrate these technologies onto manned and unmanned defense platforms.
   
• Intermat Defense based in France produces stealth coatings that serve the needs of military and homeland security operations. The nanostructured paints alongside radar-absorbing films produced by Intermat define its presence in thermal and radar signature management business. The company operates multiple European defense programs by delivering entire stealth coating packages to the market.
   
• Axalta Coating Systems communicates its industrial and automotive material excellence through specialized defense coatings and heat-resistant finishing products for defense applications. The stealth requirements for tactical vehicles and equipment where Axalta intervenes complement NATO and U.S. DoD standards that evolve for camouflage and durability.
   

Stealth Materials and Coatings Industry News

• In 2025 budget of the U.S. Army allocates resources for extensive RDT&E activities. This funding is for the development of advanced materials and technologies that would contribute in developing potential stealth capabilities in military applications.
   
• In April 2024, the U.S. Navy and Northrop Grumman modified a contract existing between them to the total of USD 167.1 million. The contract would cater to the provision of Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) systems. This would show as continued interest from the American government to develop continuously her stealth and surveillance technologies.
   
• In July 2023, Northrop Grumman was given a contract DARPA to design a completely autonomous vertical take-off and landing (VTOl) uncrewed air system. The main focus was given for further research and development of advanced stealth capabilities in these unmanned systems.
   

The stealth materials and coatings market research report includes an in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates and forecast in terms of revenue in (USD Million) & volume (Tons) from 2021 – 2034 for the following segments:

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Market, By Material Type

• Carbon-based composites
• Magnetic materials
• Metamaterials
• Radar absorbing materials (RAM)
• Infrared suppression coatings
• Others (ceramic materials, nanomaterials, polymer composites, etc)

Market, By Application

• Aerospace
• Automotives
• Defense
• Others

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America 
  • U.S.
  • Canada 
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Netherlands 
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • South Korea 
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina 
• Middle East and Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • UAE