[143 Pages Report] The autonomous aircraft market is projected to grow from an estimated USD 3.6 billion in 2018 to 23.7 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 17.06% from 2018 to 2030. This growth can be attributed to the increased cost savings, reduction in human error due to increased autonomy, and advancements in artificial intelligence.

The software segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period

Based on component, the autonomous aircraft market is segmented into flight management computers, air data inertial reference units, sensors, actuation systems, software, intelligent servos, cameras, radars & transponders, and propulsion systems. The flight management computers segment is expected to lead the autonomous aircraft market during the forecast period. The software segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The flight management computer is the most important components that monitors and controls the autonomy of aircraft. As aircraft move towards full autonomy, software algorithms providing instructions to the aircraft are expected to have higher demand. Thus software is projected to be a high-growth segment.

The fully autonomous segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during forecast period

Based on technology, the autonomous aircraft market has been segmented into increasingly autonomous and fully autonomous. The fully autonomous segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR due to the increasing autonomy in aircraft and the move towards aircraft being fully autonomous in future. Currently, military UAVs already operate with fully autonomous capabilities. Current commercial aircraft are becoming increasingly autonomous due to the installation of autonomous components which have eased the workload of pilots. The goal of the industry is to make these commercial aircraft fully autonomous as well as introduce new passenger and personal air vehicles along with commercial delivery drones that will be fully autonomous. Thus, the fully autonomous segment is projected to see high growth in this market.

The commercial aircraft segment is expected to lead the autonomous aircraft during the forecast period

The autonomous aircraft market has been segmented and analyzed based on end use into commercial aircraft, combat & ISR, cargo & delivery aircraft, passenger air vehicles, personal air vehicles, air medical services, and others. The commercial aircraft segment is expected to lead the autonomous aircraft during the forecast period. Current commercial aircraft are installed with autonomy components that make them increasingly autonomous. Increasing air passenger traffic in commercial aircraft has led to this segment leading the autonomous aircraft end use segment.

Key Market Players

The autonomous aircraft market has been studied for North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World. North America is estimated to account for the highest share of the global autonomous aircraft market in 2018. Thus, North America is expected to fuel the growth of the market. Major commercial aircraft manufacturers present in North America are Boeing (US) and Lockheed Martin (US), and therefore generate a high demand for autonomous aircraft products. North America is expected to continue to lead the market during the forecast period.

The lack of profitable airlines in emerging economies is one of the factors restraining the growth of the autonomous aircraft market. The major strategies undertaken by various companies include new product developments and contracts. The competitive leadership mapping matrix compares various companies operating in the autonomous aircraft market. Major players in the autonomous aircraft market are Boeing (US), Airbus (France), Lockheed Martin (US), Northrop Grumman (US), and Elbit Systems (Israel), among others.

Scope of the report

Report Metric Details Market size available for years 2016-2030 Base year considered 2017 Forecast period 2018-2030 Forecast units Value (USD) Segments covered Technology, Component, Region, and End Use Geographies covered North America, Europe, APAC, and Rest of the World Companies Covered Boeing (US), Airbus (France), Lockheed Martin (US), Rockwell Collins (US), Northrop Grumman (US), and Elbit Systems (Israel), among others

A total of 13 major players covered, along with 7 start-ups

This research report categorizes the autonomous aircraft market into the following segments and subsegments:

Autonomous Aircraft Market, By Technology

Increasingly Autonomous

Fully Autonomous

Autonomous Aircraft Market, By Component

Flight Management Computers

Air Data Inertial Reference Units

Sensors

Actuation Systems

Software

Intelligent Servos

Cameras

Radars & Transponders

Propulsion Systems

Autonomous Aircraft Market, By End Use

Commercial Aircraft

Combat & ISR

Cargo & Delivery Aircraft

Passenger Air Vehicle

Personal Air Vehicle

Air Medical Services

Others (Agriculture, Construction, Survey and Film & Photography, among others)

Autonomous Aircraft Market, By Region

North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Rest of the World

Recent Developments

In July 2018, Northrop Grumman received a contract from the US Air Force to deliver Global Hawk, an autonomous aircraft equipped with Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN). The BACN acts as a gateway that translates and distributes battlefield information acquired from various sources.

In February 2018, AeroVironment received a contract from the Canadian Navy for the supply of Puma II AE, a UAS equipped with Mantis i45 sensor and 360-degree antenna system.

In August 2018, Boeing received a contract worth USD 805 million from the US NAVY for the engineering and manufacturing of 4 MQ-25 aerial refueling unmanned aircraft.

Key questions addressed by the report

What will be the impact of regulations on the autonomous aircraft market?

What are the emerging technologies and use cases disrupting the autonomous aircraft industry, such as air taxi?

How are the market players in industry addressing challenges, such as infrastructure and public acceptance?

How is the shift towards autonomy and investments in autonomy affecting the competitive landscape?

What will impact the leading market players� wallet share in the next 5 years?

What start-ups are working in the autonomous aircraft market?

What is helping the top players in the market in sustaining and the growth of their market share?

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