Small Drones Market Size, Share, Trends and Growth Drivers

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Small Drone Market Size & Share

[358 Pages Report] The Small Drones Market Size is projected to grow from USD 5.8 Billion in 2023 to USD 10.4 Billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 8.6% from 2023 to 2030.

Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (SUAVs), also known as small drones, are aerial vehicles controlled remotely, playing pivotal roles in both the defense and commercial domains. In the commercial sector, they find applications in monitoring, surveying, mapping, aerial remote sensing, precision agriculture, and even product delivery. Similarly, they serve essential functions in the military realm, including military operations and border surveillance.

SUAVs have been adopted by various industries, including oil & gas, railways, power plants, and construction. The utilization of small drones for innovative purposes, such as cargo delivery in both commercial and defense sectors, is anticipated to be a driving force behind global Small Drones Industry growth. Notably, in the defense sector, small drones are increasingly supplanting manned aircraft due to their ability to be remotely operated by human operators or autonomously controlled by onboard computer systems. Consequently, the small drone market has experienced remarkable expansion over the past decade, primarily attributed to the heightened deployment of small drones in military applications.

Small Drones Market Forecast to 2030

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Small Drone Market Trends

Driver: Surge in Adoption for Civil and Commercial Applications

Small drones have found extensive applications in various commercial sectors, encompassing photography, the delivery of products and medicines, 3D mapping, data transmission, as well as inspection and monitoring within confined spaces. They also serve vital roles in industries such as agriculture, real estate, and the oil & gas sector.

In agriculture, the utilization of small drones has ushered in the era of precision farming, empowering farmers with the ability to monitor crop health, oversee irrigation equipment, and identify various types of weeds, among other capabilities. These modern drones employ the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), a remote sensing technique that evaluates vegetation health and density. By analyzing the reflected intensities of visible and near-infrared (NIR) light, drones are able to capture high-resolution images of crops. Through this analysis of reflected light in the visible and NIR bands, the NDVI index is proficient in identifying and quantifying the presence of healthy, green vegetation.

Restraint: Stringent Regulations on Use in Civilian Areas

One of the primary impediments to the global growth of the small drone market stems from the regulations and guidelines imposed by various governmental agencies regarding their use in civil and commercial applications. In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has outlined three pathways for the legal utilization of small drones within the national airspace:

• Granting a Certificate of Authorization (COA) by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for public agencies.
• Extending permission from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the form of special airworthiness certification for private entities.
• Compliance with model aircraft standards as prescribed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for small drone users.

Opportunity: Enhancing Critical Infrastructure Protection and Law Enforcement With Aerial Remote Sensing

Aerial remote sensing plays a crucial role in safeguarding vital infrastructure and contributes significantly to homeland security efforts. In this context, small drones have emerged as a valuable tool, offering timely, efficient, cost-effective, and dependable services to support police departments in upholding law and order.

For instance, police departments need to be prepared to respond swiftly to various incidents and, consequently, rely on obtaining timely and accurate information. Small drones have proven to be a cost-efficient solution for enhancing public safety and conducting investigations, particularly given the budget constraints faced by local law enforcement agencies.

Challenge: Possible Threats to Safety and Violation of Privacy

According to Drones Survey Services’ “US DRONE STATISTICS 2024”, a total of 4,250 drone-related injuries were reported between 2015 and 2020. Of these incidents, 21% affected individuals under the age of 18. Multirotor drones were responsible for the majority, accounting for over 70% of the reported injuries. When it comes to specific injuries, fingers were the most frequently affected body part, comprising 56% of all drone-related injuries. Other commonly injured body parts included the head (24%), lower extremities (14%), and trunk (6%). The most prevalent diagnoses for drone-related injuries were lacerations (72%), followed by contusions/abrasions (10%), strains/sprains (5%), and internal injuries (5%). The data from 2015 to 2020 highlights the pressing safety challenges associated with drone usage. The insurance liability of small drones is also a major concern for manufacturers and commercial operators.

Ecosystem Map For The Small Drone Market

Small Drone Market Segments

Based on Mode of Operation, the Optionally Piloted Drone Segment Registered Largest Market Share in 2023

In terms of operational mode, the small drone market is categorized into three segments: fully autonomous, remotely piloted, and optionally piloted. The fully autonomous segment is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period. This growth is attributed to the cost-effective utilization of autonomous small drones across a diverse range of applications, spanning from defense operations to surveys.

On the other hand, optionally piloted small drones offer excellent maneuverability and come equipped with advanced technologies. They also incur relatively low maintenance costs. However, it is projected that fully autonomous small drones will gradually replace their optionally piloted counterparts in the coming years. This shift is driven by the fact that fully autonomous drones offer higher payload capacity, enhanced propulsion capabilities, extended endurance, and the ability to operate without human intervention.

Based on Power Source, Battery Operated Segment is Estimated to Account for the Largest Market Share in 2023

The small drone market is categorized by power source into two segments: fuel-powered and battery-operated/electric. Each type of power source serves distinct purposes and ensures the effective functioning of small drones across various applications. As of 2023, it is anticipated that the battery-operated segment will constitute the largest share.

Battery-operated or electrically powered small drones rely on batteries to store energy and drive their electric motors. These drones are known for their ease of operation and emit lower levels of noise compared to turbo engine drones. However, it's important to note that lithium-ion batteries used in small drones require recharging once their charge is depleted, and this recharging process can be time-consuming.

In contrast, fuel-powered drones offer the advantage of rapid refueling. Hydrogen-powered military drones, for instance, utilize electric propulsion, allowing them to sustain longer flight durations.

Small Drone Market Regions

The Asia Pacific Region is Projected to Grow at Highest CAGR During the Forecast Period

Over the course of the forecast period, the Asia Pacific small drone market is anticipated to grow at the fastest rate and see significant growth. The increase in defense spending is responsible for this region's market growth. Furthermore, the economies of Asia Pacific—including those of China, India, and Japan—are expanding quickly and are becoming more purchasing power parity. As a result of the Asia Pacific region's nominal GDP expanding at a rapid rate, most of the region's countries are predicted to surpass many of the world's most advanced economies by 2030. A number of governments are prioritizing the promotion of economic growth and the establishment of conducive conditions for attracting investments in novel technology. Despite lower military budgets than in the US and Europe, the Asia-Pacific region is seeing a trend toward modernizing its transportation and infrastructure, among other sectors.

Small Drones Market by Region

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Small Drones Industry Companies: Top Key Market Players

The major players in the Small Drone Companies are:

• SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd. (China)
• The Boeing Company (US)
• Israel Aerospace Industry Ltd. (Israel)
• AeroVironment, Inc. (US)
• Lockheed Martin Corporation (US)

These players have adopted various growth strategies such as contracts, joint ventures, partnerships & agreements, acquisitions, and new product launches to further expand their presence in the small drone market.

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Scope of the Report

Small Drones Market Highlights

This research report categorizes the small drone market based on Platform, Type, Application, Mode of Operation, Power Source, and Region.

Recent Developments

• In July 2023, SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd. launched DJI Air 3, a new powerful drone. It is in addition to the Air Series with dual primary cameras. Featuring a wide-angle camera and a 3X medium tele camera, it empowers more users to get a sense of compression in their shots.
• In May 2023, SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd. launched a commercial drone called DJI Matrice 350 RTK. With its 55-minute max flight time, the Matrice 350 RTK’s has a payload capacity of 2.7kg allowing operators a choice of payloads to tackle their task.
• In April 2023, SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd. introduced the Mavic 3 Pro, a flagship drone with a triple camera system. Featuring the Mavic’s Hasselblad camera, two tele cameras, a 43-minute maximum flight time, Omnidirectional Obstacle Sensing and 15km HD Video Transmission, the Mavic 3 Pro allows content creators to push the boundaries of their creativity.
• In November 2023, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) signed two separate agreements with two countries to deliver long range loitering munitions, also known as "kamikaze" drones. The contracts’ combined value is USD 145.0 Million.
• In September 2022, The US Navy awarded Insitu a contract modification to provide extra Blackjack and ScanEagle drones to the US Navy, Marine Corps, and undisclosed foreign military sales customers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s):

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