In 2025, Hardware dominates the US 5G in Defense Market type segmentation with 38%, followed by Services at 33% and Software at 29%. The prominence of hardware underscores the necessity for advanced devices and network infrastructure to support mission-critical defense operations. Meanwhile, services are gaining ground due to the rising requirement for system integration, maintenance, and managed services. Software's substantial share is led by the need for secure, scalable, and interoperable platforms that can support complex military networks. The diverse mix indicates defense organizations are prioritizing resilient, end-to-end 5G ecosystems for seamless operational support.

Military Communications leads at 34% in the application segment, reflecting the critical emphasis on secure, real-time connectivity in defense operations. Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance claims 28%, boosted by the need for fast data aggregation and analysis. Logistics & Supply Chain Management accounts for 18%, as 5G optimizes mission support and inventory control. Command & Control and Remote Equipment Operations share 10% each. The distribution highlights growing demand for robust communications and situational awareness, while also signaling expanding use cases in automation and logistics optimization through 5G-enabled networks.

The US 5G in Defense Market is projected to grow significantly from $680 Million in 2020 to $5,100 Million by 2035. This significant revenue growth is fueled by steady investments in defense modernization and increasing adoption of advanced 5G-enabled systems across military operations. Revenue trends indicate sharp acceleration post-2025, coinciding with rapid deployment of standalone 5G networks and edge computing solutions tailored for mission-critical defense use cases.

YOY growth in the US 5G in Defense Market is anticipated to be robust, averaging 20-28% between 2025-2030, before moderating to around 12% by 2035 as market saturation increases. Surging investments and rapid post-pandemic digitalization drive initial high growth, while subsequent years see stabilization, reflecting broader adoption and maturation of 5G defense infrastructure.

In 2025, the South US region accounts for 42% market share, driven by the presence of major defense installations and federal funding. The West holds 34% with strategic bases and leading tech companies, while the Northeast and Midwest share 24%, benefiting from robust R&D ecosystems but with fewer direct deployments. This regional distribution indicates focused investments in areas with existing military infrastructure and advanced technology initiatives.

Lockheed Martin leads with 18%, followed by Northrop Grumman (15%) and Raytheon Technologies (13%), reflecting strong portfolios in 5G defense innovation. Verizon and AT&T capture 12% and 10% respectively, advancing the telecom-defense integration. The remainder is split among players like L3Harris Technologies and BAE Systems. This competitive landscape showcases collaboration between traditional defense and telecom giants to deliver comprehensive 5G solutions.

The Department of Defense (DoD) constitutes 57% of buyers, followed by Homeland Security at 18% and other federal agencies at 15%. State and local agencies comprise the remaining 10%. This underscores the DoD's pivotal role in driving 5G adoption across mission-critical defense activities while signaling expanding interest from other security and intelligence agencies.