Target drones Market by Type (Fixed Wing, Rotary Wing), End-use Sector (Defense, Commercial), End Use (Aerial, Ground, Marine), Application, Mode of Operation, Payload Capacity, Build, Target Type, Engine Type, Speed, and Region - Global Forecast to 2027
The Target Drones Market is projected to grow from USD 4.5 billion in 2022 to USD 6.4 billion by 2027, at a CAGR of 7.4% from 2022 to 2027.
Increasing R&D and venture capitalist activities in the field of drones are also aiding the growth of the target drones market in the US. Key manufacturers of drones in the US are increasingly investing in R&D activities for the development of new and advanced target drones. China is increasing its defense budget to train its military personnel using advanced techniques. An increase in the applicability of target drones in the military sector has propelled their demand in China. Several manufacturers of target drones used for aviation training exercises are based in China. The Indian government is implementing new aviation policies to manufacture aircraft components in India. The ‘Make in India’ policy has allowed 100% FDI in the aerospace sector, which has attracted international aviation companies to India. Such policies have driven the demand for target drones for aviation training exercises in the country. For instance, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, a premier aircraft manufacturer in India, is manufacturing an unmanned version of a home-grown light combat aircraft (LCA) known as Tejas. These developments have contributed to the growth of the Indian target drones industry. Various players such as QinetiQ Group plc (UK), Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (US), Airbus Group (Netherlands), Northrop Grumman Corporation (US), and Boeing Company (US) among others, are prominent players operating in the target drones market.
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Target Drones Market Dynamics:
Driver: Increased emphasis on enhanced military training
Target drones offer the best solution for all aspects of threat simulation, such as realism, cost, and operational effectiveness, which, in turn, improves overall training efficacy. Military forces worldwide benefit from the constructive training environment offered by target drones.
According to the Defence Equipment Plan 2018, the UK Ministry of Defence invested USD 9.37 billion in military aviation exercises and equipment procurement, including the procurement of target drones. It plans to employ modern, adaptable, and sustainable training systems to exploit the advantages of simulated environments to prepare its aircrew to meet the challenges of future combat operations.
Restraint: Lack of skilled and trained personnel
Target drones do not carry an onboard pilot, and thus, human error in operating these drones may have severe implications. As target drones rely more on computer technology, autopilot, and radio transmission as compared to conventional target aircraft, expert knowledge is required to operate and control them.
Target drones need to exhibit greater maneuverability to simulate a real war environment, and thus, require skilled personnel for remote piloting. Several drone accidents occur owing to poor operator control. Currently, efforts are being made to reduce such mishaps by improving the autonomy of these drones and reducing the degree of human operator involvement. Various training programs are also being undertaken to train pilots for the precise operation of drones, thereby reducing the probability of drone accidents.
Opportunity: Full-scale conversion of target drones for simulation of a war scenario
Simulating a real threat environment is of paramount importance in air force pilot training. For over 30 years, there has been a trend of conversion of full-scale fighters to target drones in the US. The US Air Force has been using full-scaled target drones since 1986. In the same year, the US Air Force awarded a contract to Flight Systems Inc. (US) to convert F-106 Delta Darts to QF-106 target drones. Earlier, the QF-106 was replaced by QF-4 Phantoms in 1997, and presently, the QF-4 is being replaced with QF-16 Falcons. With the increase in tactical threats, the need to replicate real-time war scenarios becomes inevitable. This trend of converting retired fighter aircraft into full-scale model target drones for pilot training by the US is anticipated to extend to other developed and emerging nations worldwide, thereby offering lucrative growth opportunities to manufacturers of target drones.
Challenges: Lack of sustainable power sources to improve endurance of drones
One of the most significant challenges faced by manufacturers of target drones is their inability to test energy limits both, in terms of endurance as well as the ability to deliver the required amount of energy to different payloads, such as radars and lasers, among others.
Target drones Market Ecosystem:
The key stakeholders in the target drones market ecosystem include companies which provide platforms and soldier systems. The major influencers in this market are investors, funders, academic researchers, integrators, service providers, and licencing agencies.
Combat training segment held largest market share in terms of value in target drones market
On the basis of application, the target drones market has been segmented into combat training, target & decoy, reconnaissance, target identification, and target acquisition. Owing to the growing capabilities and endurance of target drones, these unmanned vehicles are expected to witness demand during the forecast period. Combat training accounted for 50.2% of the overall target drones market. Several defense forces have adopted the use of target drones for training and testing of anti-aircraft crews. Target drones replicate enemy aircraft used in war and are thus used to test the capabilities of defense systems. These targets are available for air, ground, as well as marine training platforms. With growing interest in target drones, companies have started converting fighter aircraft into full-scale target drones that can simulate real threats.
Reconnaissance is anticipated to grow at highest CAGR during forecast period
The reconnaissance application segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR of 9.8% during the forecast period. Reconnaissance involves the subtasks of avoiding obstacles or no-fly-zones, reaching the close vicinity of a specific target, avoiding inter agent collision, and forming equilateral formation around a target. Target drones performing such tasks usually fly at a constant speed.
Some target drones used for reconnaissance applications are the RQ-21A Blackjack from the Boeing Company and BQM-74 from Northrop Grumman Corporation, among others.
In terms of value, North America led the target drones market
The US and Canada are considered under North America for market analysis. North America is a manufacturing hub for various target drones manufacturers, such as Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (US), Grumman Corporation (US), and Boeing Company (US). The demand for target drones has been increasing in North America due to the presence of the defense manufacturing industry, growing demand for defense platforms across the globe, and ongoing upgradation programs for existing defense systems.
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Top Target Drones Companies - Key Market Players
The Target Drones Companies are dominated by a few globally established players such as QinetiQ Group plc (UK), Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (US), Airbus Group (Netherlands), Northrop Grumman Corporation (US), and Boeing Company (US).
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- Latest News, Updates & Trend analysis
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Report Metric |
Details |
| Estimated Market Size | USD 4.5 Biilion |
| Projected Market Size | USD 6.4 Billion |
| Growth Rate | 7.4% |
|
Market size available for years |
2019-2027 |
|
Base year considered |
2021 |
|
Forecast period |
2022-2027 |
|
Forecast units |
Value (USD) |
|
Segments covered |
By Engine Type, End-Use Sector, Build, End Use, Target Type, Application, Mode Of Operation, Speed, Payload Capacity, Type |
|
Geographies covered |
North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, Rest of the World |
|
Companies covered |
QinetiQ Group plc (UK), Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (US), Airbus Group (Netherlands), Northrop Grumman Corporation (US), and Boeing Company (US) among others |
This research report categorizes the Target drones Market based on Engine Type, End-Use Sector, Build, End Use, Target Type, Application, Mode Of Operation, Speed, Payload Capacity, Type, and Region.
By Engine Type
- IC
- Jet
- Others
By End-Use Sector
- Defense
- Commercial
By Build
- New Build
- Converted
By End Use
- Aerial Targets
- Ground Targets
- Marine Targets
By Target Type
- Full-Scale
- Sub-Scale
- Free-Flying
- Towing
- Sporting
By Application
- Combat Training
- Target & Decoy
- Reconnaissance
- Target Identification
- Target Acquisition
By Mode Of Operation
- Autonomous
- Remotely Piloted
- Optionally Piloted
By Payload Capacity
- High (>40 Kg)
- Medium (20 Kg to 40 Kg)
- Low (<20 Kg)
By Type
- Fixed Wing
- Rotary Wing
By Region
- North America
- Europe
- Asia Pacific
- Middle East & Africa
- Rest of the World
Recent Developments
- In March 2022, Qinteiq received a contract from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force for providing Banshee Jet 80+ unmanned aerial vehicle targets.
- In February 2022, Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc. received a contract worth $20 million from an international customer for providing an unmanned aerial target drone system and related services.
- In February 2022, Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc. received a contract worth $14 million from an international customer for providing logistics support, spares, consumables, and support.
- In December 2021, Kratos Defense & Security Solutions received a contract worth $5O million for providing 65 BQM – 177A subsonic aerial targets (SSATs) from the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR).
- In November 2021, The Boeing Company received a contract worth $49.7 million from the United States Air Force for converting retired F-16 fighters into unmanned aerial vehicles.
- In May 2021, Northrop Grumman Corporation received a contract worth $55.4 million from the U.S. Navy for providing 18 GQM-163 A “Coyote” supersonic sea-skimming target vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
What is the current size of the target drones market?
The global target drones market size is projected to grow from USD 4.5 billion in 2022 to USD 6.4 billion by 2027, at a CAGR of 7.4% from 2022 to 2027
Who are the winners in the target drones market?
QinetiQ Group plc (UK), Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (US), Airbus Group (Netherlands), Northrop Grumman Corporation (US), and Boeing Company (US) are some of the winners in the market.
What are some of the technological advancements in the market?
Target scoring systems, converted drones, electronic countermeasures and chaff dispensers are some of the technological advancements in the target drones market.
What are the factors driving the growth of the market?
The target drones market is being driven by factors such as rising investments into military modernization. .
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This research study involved the extensive use of secondary sources, directories, and databases, such as D&B Hoovers, Bloomberg Businessweek, and Factiva to identify and collect information relevant to the target drones market. Primary sources included industry experts from the core and related industries as well as preferred suppliers, manufacturers, solution providers, technology developers, alliances, and organizations related to all the segments of this industry’s value chain. All primary sources were interviewed to obtain and verify critical qualitative and quantitative information as well as to assess prospects for the growth of the market during the forecast period.
Secondary Research:
The share of companies in the target drones market was determined using secondary data made available through paid and unpaid sources and by analyzing their product portfolios. The companies were rated based on the performance and quality of their products. These data points were further validated by primary sources.
Secondary sources that were referred to for this research study on the target drones market included financial statements of companies offering and developing target drones products and solutions and information from various trade, business, and professional associations, among others. Secondary data was collected and analyzed to arrive at the overall size of the target drones market, which was further validated by primary respondents.
Primary Research:
Extensive primary research was conducted after obtaining information about the current scenario of the target drones market through secondary research. Several primary interviews were conducted with market experts from both, the demand- and supply-side across 5 major regions, namely, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa and Rest of the World. This primary data was collected through questionnaires, mails, and telephonic interviews.
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Market Size Estimation
Both, the top-down and bottom-up approaches were used to estimate and validate the size of the target drones market.
The research methodology that was used to estimate the size of the target drones market includes the following details.
Key players in the target drones market were identified through secondary research, and their market share was determined through primary and secondary research. This included a study of the annual and financial reports of the top market players and extensive interviews of leaders such as chief executive officers, directors, and marketing executives of the leading companies operating in the target drones market.
All percentage shares, splits, and breakdowns were determined using secondary sources and were verified through primary sources. All possible parameters that affect the markets covered in this research study were accounted for, viewed in extensive detail, verified through primary research, and analyzed to obtain the final quantitative and qualitative data on the target drones market. This data was consolidated, enhanced with detailed inputs, analyzed by MarketsandMarkets, and presented in this report.
Market size estimation methodology: Bottom-up approach
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Data Triangulation
After arriving at the overall size of the target drones market from the market size estimation process explained above, the total market has been split into several segments and subsegments. The data triangulation and market breakdown procedures explained below have been implemented, wherever applicable, to complete the overall market engineering process and arrive at the exact statistics for various market segments and subsegments. The data was triangulated by studying various factors and trends from both the demand and supply sides. Along with this, the market size was validated using both, top-down and bottom-up approaches.
Objectives of the Study
- To define, describe, segment, and forecast the size of the target drones market based on engine type, end-use sector, build, end use, target type, application, mode of operation, speed, payload capacity, type, and region for the forecast period from 2022 to 2027
- To forecast the size of various segments of the market with respect to five major regions, namely, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and the Rest of the World (RoW), along with the major countries in each of these regions
- To identify and analyze the key drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges influencing the growth of the market
- To identify opportunities for stakeholders in the market by studying key market and technology trends
- To analyze competitive developments such as contracts, agreements, acquisitions & partnerships, new product launches & developments, and R&D activities in the market
- To estimate the procurement of target drones by different countries to track the market size of target drones
- To provide a comprehensive competitive landscape of the market along with an overview of the different strategies adopted by key players to strengthen their position in the market
- To identify transportation industry trends, market trends, and technology trends currently prevailing in the market
- To analyze micromarkets1 with respect to individual technological trends and their contribution to the total market
- To analyze opportunities in the market for stakeholders by identifying key market trends
- To profile key market players and comprehensively analyze their market share and core competencies2
- To provide a detailed competitive landscape of the market, along with an analysis of business and strategies such as mergers & acquisitions, partnerships, agreements, and product developments in the target drones market
- To identify detailed financial positions, key products, and unique selling points of leading companies in the market
Available Customizations:
Along with market data, MarketsandMarkets offers customizations as per the specific needs of a company. The following customization options are available for the report:
Company Information
- Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to 5)
- Market analysis of additional countries (subject to the data availability)
Generating Response ...
Growth opportunities and latent adjacency in Target drones Market
We produce turbojet engines (200-1500 N thrust), turboprop and turboshaft engines (180 kW of power), and APU for helicopters and trainers. We are looking for UAV market that mainly include target drones, missiles, and fast moving UAVs.