The global military connector market will grow 7.2% annually to about $3.5 billion in 2011 from $2.7 billion in 2006, according to a new report by researcher Bishop and Associates.

Connectors used in sea-based defense systems such as radar, stealth and landing systems, will post the strongest revenue growth, rising 8.7% per year from $983.7 million in 2006 to $1.27 billion in 2011.

More commercial off-the-shelf products will be used in military equipment, according to the World Military Connector Market report. The conversion to data buses from conventional wiring harnesses, combined with environmentally controlled electronics bays in aircraft, ships and ground fighting vehicles, allows commercially available connectors to replace mil-spec connectors.