Combat Drone Market Size, Share & Growth

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The Global Combat Drone Market Size was valued at USD 7.2 billion in 2023 and is estimated to reach USD 10.8 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 8.6% during the forecast period. As technology advances and regulations continue to evolve, the demand for combat drones is expected to grow further, enabling more efficient and effective responses to critical incidents. The flexibility and maneuverability of drones enable them to access hard-to-reach areas, providing critical support to first responders. As a result, combat agencies are increasingly adopting drones as essential tools for improving their operations and ensuring the safety of communities. Equipped with advanced sensors and cameras, they can detect hazards, locate missing persons, and assist in the management of critical incidents.

The Combat Drone Industry has experienced remarkable technological advancements, revolutionizing the way emergency response and public safety operations are conducted. These advancements have propelled drones to the forefront of critical missions, equipping public safety personnel with powerful tools to enhance situational awareness, response capabilities, and overall operational efficiency. With improved flight performance, extended flight times, and increased payload capacities, drones can navigate challenging environments, remain airborne for longer durations, and carry sophisticated equipment and sensors. Advanced imaging technologies, real-time video streaming, and data transmission capabilities enable real-time situational assessment, while intelligent flight modes and autonomy features streamline operations. The integration of data analytics and seamless data integration empowers public safety agencies to leverage valuable insights for incident management and post-incident analysis. The continuous evolution of technology in the combat drone market promises to unlock new possibilities and revolutionize emergency response efforts, ensuring safer communities and more effective crisis management.

Combat Drone Market Forecast to 2028

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Combat Drone Market Dynamics

Driver: Growing adoption of combat drones due to their high precision and accuracy capabilities.

Combat drones possess cutting-edge technology that enables superior precision and accuracy in pinpointing and engaging enemy positions and objectives. Equipped with advanced targeting systems and guided munitions, these drones execute precise strikes with utmost efficiency, thereby minimizing collateral damage and optimizing mission success rates.

The drone's targeting systems integrate state-of-the-art sensors, cameras, and radar systems, enabling real-time data acquisition and intelligence gathering from the drone's operational environment, including the target area. The high-resolution imagery and video provided by the onboard cameras offer detailed insights into the target and its surroundings. Additionally, advanced radar systems proficiently detect and track moving targets, such as enemy vehicles or aircraft, even in adverse weather conditions.

Restraints Limited trained personnel to operate drones.

Unlike conventional aircraft, combat drones need to ensure the reliability of the entire unmanned aerial system, which includes UAVs, ground control stations, and communication equipment. Drones can fly at different altitudes and require skilled pilots to control and operate them. The number of pilots available for high-precision operations is comparatively low. An increase in drone adoption in the combat drone verticals adds to the growing need for skilled drone pilots. Presently, to reduce the number of accidents caused due to the poor control skills of drone operators, efforts are underway to improve the autonomy of these systems. Drones should be equipped with systems that offer them autonomous sense and the capability to avoid collisions during operations. The accident rate for UAVs is higher than that of manned aircraft. According to Calhoun: The NPS Institutional Archive, nearly 32% of accidents involving UAVs are due to human error, while 45% occur due to material failure, along with other factors.

UAVs flying at low altitudes require pilots to control and operate them. This requires skilled personnel for the remote piloting of UAVs. Several UAV accidents are attributed to poor control by operators. Efforts are being made to reduce such accidents by improving the autonomy of these systems, thereby reducing the involvement of human operators. Various programs are being undertaken to train pilots to carry out precise operations of UAVs. Efforts are also being made to design systems that offer improved control over UAVs.

Opportunity: Advancements in AI and Autonomy

Continued advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomy will unlock new opportunities for combat drones. AI-powered drones can conduct complex operations with reduced human intervention, enabling autonomous decision-making and adaptability in dynamic environments. These capabilities open up possibilities for swarming tactics, collaborative missions, and more sophisticated target identification and engagement. As AI technology matures, combat drones' market size is expected to grow as they become more intelligent and capable of handling complex missions with increased efficiency.

Challenge Issues with the safety and security of UAVs

The security of UAVs during military operations is a major concern for militaries. UAVs operate remotely or autonomously. In both cases, there is a possibility of hacking the flight control systems of UAVs and taking control of their operations. For instance, in July 2012, a team from Texas University was able to take control of a UAV using GPS spoofing devices that cost only USD 1,000, thereby disrupting the operations of the UAV and sending it off course. The US also wants to avoid incidents like the 2011 Iranian capture and eventual reverse engineering of the classified Lockheed Martin RQ-170. Manufacturers of military UAVs have to ensure that the control systems of UAVs cannot be hacked easily to make them more secure to use.

Combat drone Market Ecosystem

The key stakeholders in the combat drone market ecosystem are platform manufacturers, subsystem manufacturers, service providers, software providers, and miscellaneous (insurance companies). The following figure lists some global platform manufacturers, subsystem providers, service providers, and software providers.

The market for Hybrid in the type segment is projected to grow with higher CAGR.

Based on type, the Hybrid segment is projected to record high growth during the forecast period. Hybrid drones offer one significant advantage with their extended flight time and endurance. The increased flight time enables public safety agencies to cover larger areas. Hybrid unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) possess the capability to seamlessly transition between vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) and horizontal flight, effectively amalgamating the agility of rotary-wing UAVs with the efficiency of fixed-wing UAVs. This inherent adaptability empowers them to flexibly accommodate evolving operational demands and adeptly navigate heterogeneous environments. The incorporation of fixed-wing characteristics in hybrid drones confers upon them the capacity to efficiently cover extensive geographical areas. These drones are proficient in performing aerial surveys, conducting border or coastline monitoring operations, and providing comprehensive surveillance capabilities for law enforcement agencies. The extended flight range inherent in hybrid drones enables them to effectively carry out patrol and monitoring activities across vast regions.

The market for the lethal segment in the application segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

Based on the application segment, the combat drone market has been classified into lethal, stealth, loitering munition, and target drone. The loitering segment is to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Lethal drones or lethal autonomous weapons are autonomous military systems that can individually search for targets and destroy them based on programmed limitations and descriptions. A loitering munition drone can be described as an advanced, autonomous drone equipped with explosive payloads designed to loiter or hover over a designated area for an extended period. The loitering munition segment is further sub-segmented into recoverable and expendables.

North America is expected to lead the market during the forecast period.

 North America is projected to lead the Combat drone market during the forecast period. The US is the largest market for Combat drones in North America. Collaboration between public safety agencies and private drone service providers has accelerated the adoption of combat drones in North America. Public-private partnerships have facilitated access to advanced drone technologies, expertise, and operational support for public safety agencies. The combination of a strong focus on public safety, supportive regulatory frameworks, technological innovation, diverse landscapes, and collaboration between sectors has contributed to the significant demand for combat drones in North America.

Combat Drone Market by Region

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Key Players

Operating in the Combat Drone Companies are Northrop Grumman Corporation(US), Raytheon Technologies Corporation(US), Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd.(Israel), General Atomics Aeronautical Systems(US), And  Teledyne FLIR LLC. (US). They have an established portfolio of reputable products and services, a robust market presence, strong business strategies, a significant market share, products with wider applications, broader geographical use cases, and a larger product footprint.

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Scope of the Report

Combat Drone Market Highlights

This research report categorizes the Combat Drone market based on platform, application, type, and launching mode.

Recent Developments

• In Aug 2022, Northrop Grumman Corporation modernized B-2 Spirit Bomber with Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM-ER). During the flight test in the month of December, B-2 successfully released a Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile – Extended Range (JASSM-ER). Also, the integration of the Radar Aided Targeting System (RATS) allows the B-2 to fully employ the B-61 mod 12 nuclear bombs, and various high-frequency transmission has improved by Crypto modernization.
• In Jan 2022, Raytheon conducted live firing tests with the Coyote Block 2+ equipped with a KRFS (Ku-band Radio Frequency System) radar mounted on an M-ATV 4x4 armored vehicle as part of the Fixed Site and Mobile LIDS (Mobile-Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Integrated Defeat System) for counter UAS (Unmanned Aerial System).
• In March 2022, Raytheon Intelligence & Space, a Raytheon Technologies firm, demonstrated that it’s High Energy Laser Weapon System (HELWS) could work in pair with the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) to counter unmanned aircraft threats.
• In December 2022, the Wingman drone is a next-generation semi-autonomous combat drone designed to act as a force multiplier. Airbus has dropped Wingman drone out of cargo plane A400M for a mid-air launch. These stealth drones will be fitted with mission-specific payloads and armaments for air-to-ground, air-to-air, recon, intelligence, and electronic warfare scenarios.
• In Jan 2023, Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. launched Point Blank for the US Department of Defense. The ‘Point Blank’ is a small electro-optic guided missile that fits within a soldier’s bag pack. It is a new compact hand-launched loitering missile. A prototype version called ‘ROC-X’ will be produced first by Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd.
• In March 2023, AeroVironment, Inc. launched Switchblade 300 Block 20 with system upgradation with improved endurance and data link range from 15 minutes to 20 plus, which would give operators roughly 33 percent more time to observe and pick targets with less a time crunch. Also, the system has a cruising speed of 63 miles per hour and can reach 100 miles per hour if needed.
• In February 2023, Autel Robotics' Drone assisted a scientific team of foreign academics in documenting activities on Costa Rica's Iraz Volcano. The scientists chose the Autel EVO Lite+ drone for its high-quality sensor and durability. The EVO Lite+ flew safely through 17-knot winds and can be utilized in situations up to 37 knots, making it ideal for high-altitude projects.

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