WHERE WE SPECIALIZE
STS Research Group conducts custom market research assignments for clients who commonly target multiple segments within Airports, Aviation, Defense, Energy, Homeland Security, and Public Transportation markets.
This also includes the broader federal civilian government market space, especially for IT and communications-related products and services.
Clients will frequently adapt product and service solutions from one market to another, such as defense to homeland security, as part of a logical market-migration strategy.
Each market is partitioned into distinct segments, impacted by varying trends and regulations, resulting in a steadily changing need for advanced product and service solutions.
Airports
Segments: Large, Medium, Small Hub; Commercial, Cargo, General Aviation, Executive, Reliever airports, International hubs; FAA Operations, Airline-Airport Operations Center, Airport Operations Center, Airport Security Center, TSA Airport Control Center. Systems: Perimeter Security, Access Control, Air Traffic Control, Runways, Taxiways, IT systems, Communications, Information, Parking, Retail. Management: Operators, Commissioners, Port Authorities, Councils of Government, Intermodal authorities.
Market Drivers: Rebounding air traffic across all world regions over the next 20 years; Global economic growth promoting airport building and expansion, airport modernization, and infrastructure enhancements; Next Generation Air Transportation System NextGen (increasing system efficiency, reducing environmental impact, augmenting safety efforts, layered, adaptive security system); Greater global collaboration to ensure critical information reaches appropriate security and air traffic management authorities; Emphasis on reducing passenger congestion and delays with improved checkpoint technology; Demand for passenger-user-friendly solutions that allay civil liberties concerns and provide more cohesive systems for passenger management, baggage handling, and cargo shipments; Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR) Joint Undertaking (SJU); Transportation Security Administration's National Strategy for Aviation Security (NSAS); Increase in privately-owned airports.
STS Client Solutions: Security systems: sensors, access control, fencing, intelligent video surveillance, biometrics, smart cards, checkpoint security screening and detection; Training and simulation solutions for safety, security and operations; Architectural and engineering services; Large-scale systems integration; IT networking, wireless communication, decision support tools, digital fiber backbones. More efficient and speedy check-in and baggage handling offerings; Private security manpower services; Intermodal transfer and conveyance solutions; Safety equipment; Ground support solutions.
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Aviation
Segments: Air transport, cargo, regional, general aviation, business corporate, fractional, private-owner-flown aircraft; Commercial, private, military, civil government, emergency-medical, offshore oil and gas applications; Fixed wing, rotorcraft, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS); Avionics, engines, aerostructures, materials; Design, modifications, forward fit, retrofit, passenger-to-freighter conversion, flight testing; Government: FAA, NASA, DOD, DOT, TSA, EPA, DHS, NTSB, IATA, EASA, CAAC.
Market Drivers: Increasing air travel in all global regions; Improved aircraft financing credit spurring more airplane purchases; Demand for new pilots and aviation support personnel with specialized education and training enhancements; Modifications and retrofits of aircraft and systems to improve flight worthiness and efficiency; Steady globalization of aircraft, engine, and systems design, engineering and manufacturing, including a shift from US and European jet transport duopoly; Reduction in government defense spending promoting military airframers and mil-electronics parts suppliers to diversify commercially and in global joint ventures; Military rotorcraft airframers offset defense decline with demand from emergency medical service (EMS) providers and offshore oil and gas exploration and production markets; Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) promotes adoption of multiple key components related to ADS-B, Required Navigation Performance (RNP), and datacomm solutions; Increasing use of unmanned aircraft systems due to more flight flexibility in civil airspace including border patrol, aerial photography, land and crop surveying, and forest fire aerial bombing applications; Greater emphasis on fuel savings through shift to lighter-weight aircraft composite materials, more efficient and cleaner (alternative fuel) engines, improved aerodynamic designs, and more efficient on-board auxiliary power solutions for modified avionics and electronic systems.
STS Client Solutions: New and retrofit system and avionic component solutions (SVS, GPS technology for NextGen and SESAR air traffic management systems, satellite navigation solutions for ATM); More efficient power management for in-flight mechanical and electronic flight systems; New command, control and communications (C3) systems to support next-generation of unmanned aircraft; Greater use of Apple iPad and related tablet devices across multiple aviation, navigation, and communication domains including Electronic flight bag (EFB) solutions incorporating new apps for pre-flight planning, weather overlays, approach plates, and airport ground charts; Innovative educational and training enhancement solutions for new and existing pilots and aviation support personnel.
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Defense
Segments: Aircraft (fighter/attack, bombers, transports, trainers), unmanned aerial systems, rotary aircraft, surface ships/undersea, ground vehicles, man portable, missiles, military satellites, tactical and strategic weapons. US DOD: Air Force, Army, Navy-Marines, SOCOM, National Guard Reserves, Missile Defense, Defense-Wide agencies; Accounts: Procurement, RDT&E, O&M Sustainment; NATO, MODs, Foreign Military Sales (FMS).
Market Drivers: Dramatic reduction in overall spending, influenced by steady withdrawal from Iraq/Afghanistan, continuing economic concerns, and narrowing of investment in capabilities most needed in current conflicts and future wars; Increased focus on Overseas Military Sales for American-made weaponry; Growth in defense spending by China, India, others; Less funding encourages DOD to retrofit existing military equipment and improve energy efficiency; Military contractors increasingly diversify commercially, and toward "dual- use" solutions behind (it's coming!) reshaping of US DOD S&T spending similar to ARPA-TRP funding initiatives during Clinton years prior to 9/11. Near-term military priorities: Increase in unmanned aerial systems to improve intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) and precision strike; Modernization of rotary wing aircraft to support current ground conflicts; Improvement in Cyber technologies (offensive and defensive) with better training to accurately detect and assess threats and prevent potential attacks. Strengthening of Counter-IED, Chem-Bio and Counter-Narcotics technologies with improved training to better identify and secure on and off battlefield threats; Modernization of nuclear weapons and stockpile sustainment.
STS Client Solutions: New and retrofit system and component solutions (engines, structures, avionics, navigation, weather radar, TCAS, electronics, sensors, communications) for aircraft, ships, ground vehicles, man portable applications; Unmanned and robotic system solutions to improve platform accuracy, payload, and duration. New cyber solutions including cyber training to enhance situational awareness, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; More energy efficient, innovative technologies to lower fuel costs, reduce logistics tail, and lengthen mission time of military systems; Innovative educational, simulation and training enhancement solutions for new and existing warfighters and support personnel. Wireless network solutions utilizing iPad and iPhone type devices. Counter-narcotic and Anti-Chem-Bio attack related solutions; Biometrics and RFID tracking solutions.
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Energy
Segments: Coal, nuclear, natural gas, renewable (wind, solar photovoltaics, hydro, bio-mass, geothermal), petroleum; Residential, industrial, commercial; Electricity generation, transmission, distribution; Air, water, surface, military and commercial transportation; Regulatory: DOE (FERC), DHS, EPA, DOD, FAA.
Market Drivers: Economic growth (directly impacting energy consumption);
Government policy (federal and state regulations and incentives for clean
and renewable energy); Aging electrical grid infrastructure; Utility rate
structure modifications (performance-based, revenue sharing, price-cap);
Electric power grid vulnerability to cyber and physical attacks; 2011
Japanese nuclear disaster; Smart grid innovations; Eco-aviation (alternate
aviation fuels, lower emissions, more efficient); US Military "improved
operational energy" management (battlefield, airborne, man portable)
logistics, alternative fuels, batteries, energy storage).
STS Client Solutions: Smart building solutions (control and optimization of operation and maintenance); Physical security (perimeter, layered) systems; Sensors, satellite monitoring, command and control, common operating picture systems; Energy-generation, storage, and transmission innovations (safe, low cost, reliable); Smart grid and micro grid enhancement technologies (high-performance energy storage, demand management, automated substations, smart meters and thermostats, load-control devices, smart sensors, wide area monitoring systems, outage management systems, dynamic rating of transmission lines, advanced control methods).
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Homeland Security
Segments: Federal, state, local governments, first responders; Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Secret Service, Office of Inspector General. Federal, state and local law enforcement. Critical Infrastructure: Agriculture and Food; Banking and Finance; Chemical; Commercial Facilities; Communications; Critical Manufacturing; Dams; Defense Industrial Base; Emergency Services; Energy; Information Technology; National Monuments and Icons; Transportation Systems; Water.
Market Drivers: Aviation and airport system (passengers and freight) increasingly global and complex; Growth in counter-terrorism threats (terrorist attacks, chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear); Critical Infrastructure vulnerability (nuclear plants, power grids); Cybersecurity challenges (civilian and military computers and networks; intrusion and detection); Higher rate of natural disasters and large-scale emergency events (Tornados, flooding, waterway oil spills, forest fires) requiring enhanced information and management implementation and coordination. Border security (Southwest, Northern Border) incidents.
STS Client Solutions: Border surveillance technology; Advanced imaging (for weapons, explosives); Chemical and biological detection and analysis technologies (detecting bio-threat agents, enhanced diagnostic capabilities); New cyber solutions including cyber-security training to enhance situational awareness, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; Wireless network solutions utilizing iPad and iPhone type devices for tactical law enforcement communications; Unmanned aircraft systems for homeland surveillance and command and control; Advanced protective equipment and vehicles for countermeasure protection; Fusion center solutions with advanced technology integration to better coordinate cross-DHS agencies and improve government interaction and rapid response; Improved ship inspection solutions for maritime safety, anti-terrorism, and post-accident investigations; Private security services to augment government personnel; Innovative educational and training enhancement solutions for first responders and support groups.
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Space
Segments: Civil, commercial, military; Navigation, communications, national security, missile warning, scientific, human space exploration; Spacecraft, satellites, rockets, launch vehicles, unmanned air systems, propulsion, supporting infrastructure; Weather, remote sensing, logistics, agriculture, border patrol; NASA, DOD, DISA, NOAA, USGS, Intel Agencies, NRO, Stratcom, FAA, NATO, ESA.
Market Drivers: Reducing civilian (NASA) budgets (ISS, Shuttle); Increasing military space budget (ISR, anti-satellite warfare); Commercial enterprises (space tourism in low-earth orbit, cargo); GPS civilian navigation expansion; Changing export control (ITAR) policies; Emergence of China and India space programs; Solar system exploration; Smaller satellites.
STS Client Solutions: Sensors, optics, radiation hardened microelectronics, integrated circuits, specialized materials and structures, hi-rel components, engines, aircraft, life-support systems; Robotics, propulsion, advanced chemicals, systems integration, test and evaluation, data management systems.
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Public Transportation
Segments: Airports, public transit, commuter rail, highways, maritime (ports and harbors); traffic management; parking facilities; trucking, freight; intermodal. Federal Agencies DOT (FAA, FHWA, FMCSA, FRA, FTA, MARAD, NHTSA); state agencies, regional and local agencies and authorities, local government; private sector operators; public safety, law enforcement and emergency management; utilities, leasing companies; U.S. and international public transportation agencies.
Market Drivers: Critical infrastructure protection, centralized security surveillance, situational awareness; network centric; congestion relief, increased mobility; privatization; aging infrastructure and improvement; climate change; safety evaluation and planning; asset management; operations and intelligent public transportation systems planning.
STS Client Solutions: Mobile, wireless and fixed communications; intermodal solutions; smart cards; IT security (EOIP, IpV6, optical networks, WiFi, wireless networks, VPNs, biometrics, RFID, surveillance, navigation; vehicle location and asset tracking; instrumentation and controls; security systems; fleet management, logistics, maintenance support; geospatial (GIS, GPS) systems; advanced materials.