[119 Pages Report] The air-to-air refueling market is projected to grow from USD 537 million in 2019 to USD 692 million by 2025, at a CAGR of 4.3% during the forecast period. Increasing defense expenditure of countries is a major factor driving the growth of the air-to-air refueling market. The rise in defense spending and continuing technology advancements are expected to lead to the development of various high-tech weapons and tankers in the near future, which is expected to offer lucrative growth opportunities to defense players operating in the aircraft, naval ship, artillery, armored vehicles, weapons, and systems and sub-systems manufacturing processes.
The probe & drogue segment has witnessed strong growth over the past few years. Probe & drogue are the main systems that are used to carry out air-to-air refueling. These systems typically consist of a refueling hose, a hose end coupling, and a drogue. Some of the modern tanker aircraft have equipment specially designed to offload fuel to the receiver aircraft, based on drogue & probe, even at higher speeds.
The fuel tank system increases the safety of the fuel system in an aircraft. This system is placed in the fuel tank of the aircraft. The fuel tank system stores non-flammable gases, such as nitrogen. The fuel tank operates during flight when bleed air is supplied. This system does not operate when the aircraft is on the ground, except during maintenance operations.
North America is projected to be the largest market for air-to-air refueling during the forecast period. The military aviation sector in North America is growing steadily. This has consequently created a significant demand for air-to-air refueling from the defense sector. The presence of major players, OEMs, and component manufacturers are some of the factors expected to boost the growth of the air-to-air refueling market in North America.
In addition, the major drivers are increasing military aircraft upgrades, research & development of advanced military aircraft platforms, and the presence of major system and component manufacturers, which is expected to lead to a surge in demand for air-to-air refueling in North America during the forecast period.
Major vendors in the air-to-air refueling market include Cobham (UK), Eaton Corporation (US), Airbus (Netherlands), Parker Hannifin Corporation (US), Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group (UK), GE Aviation (US), Safran (France) and Draken International (US) among others. Cobham focuses on securing contracts to strengthen its position in the market.
Cobham (UK) is one of the major suppliers of air-to-air refueling systems to defense customers worldwide. The company provides aerial refueling systems and wing-tip to wing-tip mission systems for fast jets, transport aircraft, and rotor-craft.
Report Metric |
Details |
Market size available for years |
20172025 |
Base year considered |
2018 |
Forecast period |
20192025 |
Forecast Units |
Value(USD) |
Segments Covered |
Component, System, Aircraft Type, Type, and Region |
Regions Covered |
North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East, Latin America, and Africa |
Companies covered |
Cobham (UK), Eaton Corporation (US), Airbus (Netherlands) Parker Hannifin Corporation (US), GE Aviation (US), Safran (France), Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group (UK), and Draken International (US) among others |
This research report categorizes the air-to-air refueling market based on component, system, aircraft type, type, and region.
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Table of Contents
1 Introduction (Page No. - 16)
1.1 Objectives of the Study
1.2 Definition
1.3 Study Scope
1.3.1 Markets Covered
1.3.2 Regional Scope
1.3.3 Years Considered for the Study
1.4 Currency
1.5 Limitations
1.6 Stakeholders
2 Research Methodology (Page No. - 20)
2.1 Research Data
2.1.1 Secondary Data
2.1.1.1 Key Data From Secondary Sources
2.1.2 Primary Data
2.1.2.1 Key Data From Primary Sources
2.1.3 Market Definition & Scope
2.1.4 Segments and Subsegments
2.1.5 Segment Definitions
2.1.5.1 Air-to-Air Refueling Market, By System
2.1.5.2 By Component
2.1.5.3 By Aircraft Type
2.1.5.4 By Type
2.2 Research Approach & Methodology
2.2.1 Bottom-Up Approach
2.2.1.1 Regional Air-to-Air Refueling Market
2.2.1.2 Market, By System
2.2.2 Top-Down Approach
2.2.3 Pricing Analysis
2.3 Triangulation & Validation
2.3.1 Triangulation Through Secondary
2.3.2 Triangulation Through Primaries
2.4 Research Assumptions
2.4.1 Market Sizing
2.4.2 Market Forecasting
2.5 Risks
2.6 Others
2.6.1 Limitations/Grey Areas
2.6.1.1 Market Size and CAGR
3 Executive Summary (Page No. - 30)
4 Premium Insights (Page No. - 32)
4.1 Attractive Opportunities in Air-to-Air Refueling Market
4.2 By Component
4.3 By Country
5 Market Overview (Page No. - 34)
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Market Dynamics
5.2.1 Drivers
5.2.1.1 Increasing Need for Air-to-Air Refueling to Support Overseas Deployments
5.2.1.2 Increasing Defense Expenditure of Countries
5.2.1.3 Development of Next-Generation Aerial Tankers
5.2.1.4 Increase in the Procurement of Combat Aircraft
5.2.2 Opportunities
5.2.2.1 Autonomous Refueling
5.2.3 Challenges
5.2.3.1 High Installation Cost
6 Industry Trends (Page No. - 38)
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Tanker Inventory
6.3 Technological Trends
6.3.1 Autonomous Refueling
6.3.2 Virtual Refueling
6.3.3 Remote Vision System
6.3.4 ISR Capabilities to Tanker Aircraft
6.4 Patent Listings, 20132016
7 Air-to-Air Refueling Market, By System (Page No. - 41)
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Probe & Drogue
7.2.1 Multi-Point
7.2.1.1 The Advantage of A Multi-Point Refueling System is Its Capability to Refuel Two Aircraft Simultaneously
7.2.2 Buddy
7.2.2.1 Use of Buddy Refueling for Cockpit Control & Monitoring Systems is Increasing
7.3 Boom Refueling
7.3.1 Boom Refueling Systems Help Reduce the Time Required to Transfer Fuel From One Aircraft to Another
7.4 Autonomous
7.4.1 Increasing Use of Autonomous for Mid-Air Refueling
8 Air-to-Air Refueling Market, By Component (Page No. - 45)
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Pumps
8.2.1 Pumps are Majorly Used in Fuel Systems, Engines, and Hydraulic Systems
8.3 Valves
8.3.1 Improving Operational Efficiency of the Valves is Leading to Higher Reliability and Safety of Operations
8.4 Nozzles
8.4.1 Nozzles Majorly Used to Control Aircraft Engine
8.5 Hoses
8.5.1 Hoses are Used for Probe & Drogue Refueling
8.6 Boom
8.6.1 Boom System is Primarily Used for Rapid Fuel Transfer
8.7 Probes
8.7.1 Probe Systems are Majorly Used for Fighter and Military Helicopters
8.8 Fuel Tank
8.8.1 Use of Fuel Tanks in Environmental Control Systems and Engine Bleed Air Supply Systems is Increasing
8.9 Pods
8.9.1 Wing Pods Enable Multi-Point Air-to-Air Refueling
9 Air-to-Air Refueling Market, By Aircraft Type (Page No. - 49)
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Fixed Wing
9.2.1 Fighter Aircraft
9.2.1.1 Increasing Procurement of Fighter Aircraft Due to Increasing Military Budgets
9.2.2 Tanker Aircraft
9.2.2.1 Tankers Majorly Used to Transfer Aviation Fuel From One Military Aircraft to Another
9.2.3 Military Transport
9.2.3.1 Increasing Use of Transport Aircraft in Military Operations
9.2.4 UAVS
9.2.4.1 Increasing Production of Long-Range UAVS is Expected to Drive the Uav Market
9.3 Rotary Wing
9.3.1 Attack Helicopters
9.3.1.1 Attack Helicopters are Majorly Used for Reconnaissance and Security Operations
9.3.2 Transport Helicopters
9.3.2.1 Military Transport Helicopters are Majorly Used for Airlifting Troops & Weapons
10 Air-to-Air Refueling Market, By Type (Page No. - 54)
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Manned
10.2.1 Pilot-Controlled Aircraft
10.3 Unmanned
10.3.1 Development of UAVS for Air-to-Air Refueling
11 Regional Analysis (Page No. - 57)
11.1 Introduction
11.2 North America
11.2.1 US
11.2.1.1 Increase in Aircraft Deliveries From Boeing is Driving the Growth of the Air-to-Air Refueling Market in US
11.2.2 Canada
11.2.2.1 Increase in Demand for UAVS for Military Applications is Driving the Growth of the Market in Canada
11.3 Europe
11.3.1 France
11.3.1.1 Modernization of Aerial Refueling Fleet is Driving the Growth of the Air-to-Air Refueling Market in France
11.3.2 Germany
11.3.2.1 Increase in Defense Spending is Driving the Growth of the Market in Germany
11.3.3 UK
11.3.3.1 Presence of Major Component Manufacturers Such as Cobham and BAE Systems is Driving the Growth of the Market in UK
11.3.4 Rest of Europe
11.4 Asia Pacific
11.4.1 Russia
11.4.1.1 Increase in Defense Spending is Expected to Drive the Growth of the Market in Russia
11.4.2 Japan
11.4.2.1 Increasing Demand for Military Transport Aircraft to Drive the Growth of the in Japan
11.4.3 China
11.4.3.1 Presence of Major Aircraft Manufacturers Such as Comac to Drive the Chinese Market
11.4.4 India
11.4.4.1 Development of Light Combat Aircraft to Drive the Indian Market
11.4.5 Rest of Asia Pacific
11.5 Rest of the World
11.5.1 Middle East
11.5.1.1 Saudi Arabia
11.5.1.1.1 Increase in Demand for Military Aircraft is Expected to Drive the Saudi Arabia Market
11.5.1.2 Rest of Middle East
11.5.2 Latin America
11.5.2.1 Brazil
11.5.2.1.1 Presence of Major Manufacturer Such as Embraer for Transport and Aerial Refueling Aircrafts is Expected to Drive the Brazil Market
11.5.2.2 Rest of Latin America
11.5.3 Africa
11.5.3.1 Increase in Demand for Combat Aircrafts is Expected to Drive the Africa Market
12 Competitive Landscape (Page No. - 85)
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Competitive Leadership Mapping
12.2.1 Visionary Leaders
12.2.2 Innovators
12.2.3 Dynamic Differentiators
12.2.4 Emerging Companies
12.3 Ranking of Key Players, 2018
12.4 Competitive Scenario
12.4.1 New Product Launches
12.4.2 Contracts
12.4.3 Agreements, Partnerships, Acquisitions
13 Company Profiles (Page No. - 90)
(Business Overview, Products Offered, Recent Developments, SWOT Analysis & MnM View)*
13.1 Cobham PLC
13.2 Eaton Corporation
13.3 Parker Hannifin Corporation
13.4 GE Aviation
13.5 Safran
13.6 Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group
13.7 Israel Aerospace Industries
13.8 BAE Systems
13.9 Draken International
13.10 Airbus
13.11 Lockheed Martin Corporation
13.12 United Technologies Corporation (Collins Aerospace)
13.13 Rafaut Group
*Details on Business Overview, Products Offered, Recent Developments, SWOT Analysis & MnM View Might Not Be Captured in Case of Unlisted Companies.
14 Appendix (Page No. - 113)
14.1 Discussion Guide
14.2 Knowledge Store: Marketsandmarkets Subscription Portal
14.3 Available Customizations
14.4 Related Reports
14.5 Author Details
List of Tables (77 Tables)
Table 1 Tanker Inventory, 20182025
Table 2 Innovation & Patent Registrations, 20132016
Table 3 Air-to-Air Refueling Market Size, By System, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 4 Probe & Drogue Market Size, By Type, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 5 By Component, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 6 By Aircraft Type, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 7 Fixed-Wing Aircraft: By Type, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 8 Rotary-Wing Aircraft: By Type, 2017 2025 (USD Million)
Table 9 Market, By Type, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 10 Market Size, By Region, 2019-2025 (USD Million)
Table 11 North America: Market Size, By System, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 12 North America: Market Size, By Aircraft Type, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 13 North America: Market Size, By Fixed Wing, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 14 North America: Market Size, By Rotary Wing, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 15 North America: Market Size, By Type, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 16 North America: Market Size, By Country, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 17 US: Air-to-Air Refueling Market Size, By System, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 18 US: Market Size, By Aircraft Type, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 19 Canada: Market Size, By System, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 20 Canada: Market Size, By Aircraft Type, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 21 Europe: Market Size, By System, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 22 Europe: Market Size, By Aircraft Type, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 23 Europe: Market Size, By Fixed Wing, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 24 Europe: Market Size, By Rotary Wing, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 25 Europe: Market Size, By Type, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 26 Europe: Market Size, By Country, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 27 France: Market Size, By System, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 28 France: Market Size, By Aircraft Type, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 29 Germany: Air-to-Air Refueling Market Size, By System, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 30 Germany: Market Size, By Aircraft Type, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 31 UK: Air-to-Air Refueling Market Size, By System, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 32 UK: Market Size, By Aircraft Type, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 33 Rest of Europe: Market Size, By System, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 34 Rest of Europe: Market Size, By Aircraft Type, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 35 Asia Pacific: Market Size, By System, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 36 Asia Pacific: Market Size, By Aircraft Type, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 37 Asia Pacific: Market Size, By Fixed Wing, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 38 Asia Pacific: Market Size, By Rotary Wing, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 39 Asia Pacific: Market Size, By Type, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 40 Asia Pacific: Market Size, By Country, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 41 Russia: Air-to-Air Refueling By Aircraft Type, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 43 Japan: By System, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 44 Japan: By Aircraft Type, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 45 China: By System, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 46 China: By Aircraft Type, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 47 India: Market Size, By System, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 48 India: By Aircraft Type, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 49 Rest of Asia Pacific: Market Size, By System, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 50 Rest of Asia Pacific: Market Size, By Aircraft Type, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 51 Middle East: By System, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 52 Middle East: By Aircraft Type, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 53 Middle East: By Fixed Wing, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 54 Middle East: By Rotary Wing, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 55 Asia Pacific: Size, By Type, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 56 Middle East: By Country, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 57 Saudi Arabia: By System, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 58 Rest of Middle East: Market Size, By System, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 59 Rest of Middle East: Market Size, By Aircraft Type, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 60 Latin America: Market Size, By System, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 61 Latin America: Market Size, By Aircraft Type, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 62 Latin America: Market Size, By Fixed Wing, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 63 Latin America: Market Size, By Rotary Wing, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 64 Latin America: Market Size, By Type, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 65 Latin America: Market Size, By Country, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 66 Saudi Arabia: Market Size, By System, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 67 Brazil: Market Size, By Aircraft Type, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 68 Rest of Latin America: Market Size, By System, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 69 Rest of Latin America: Market Size, By Aircraft Type, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 70 Africa: By System, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 71 Africa: By Aircraft Type, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 72 Africa: By Fixed Wing, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 73 Africa: By Rotary Wing, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 74 Africa: By Type, 20172025 (USD Million)
Table 75 New Product Launches, 2013-2019
Table 76 Contracts, 2013-2019
Table 77 Agreements, Partnerships, Acquisitions 2013-2019
List of Figures (38 Figures)
Figure 1 Research Process Flow
Figure 2 Air-to-Air Refueling Market: Research Design
Figure 3 Market Size Estimation Methodology: Bottom-Up Approach
Figure 4 Market Size Estimation Methodology: Top-Down Approach
Figure 5 Data Triangulation
Figure 6 Assumptions of the Research Study
Figure 7 Boom Refueling Segment is Projected to Lead the Air-to-Air Refueling System Market During the Forecast Period
Figure 8 Fixed Wing Aircraft Type Segment is Projected to Lead the Market During the Forecast Period
Figure 9 North America Estimated to Account for the Largest Share of the Air-to-Air Refueling Market in 2019
Figure 10 Development of Next-Generation Aerial Tankers Expected to Drive Market Growth
Figure 11 Boom Refueling Segment Expected to Lead Air-to-Air Refueling Market During Forecast Period
Figure 12 Fixed Wing Segment Projected to Lead Market During Forecast Period
Figure 13 China Air-to-Air Refueling Market to Register the Highest CAGR During Forecast Period
Figure 14 Air-to-Air Refuelling Market Dynamics
Figure 15 Defense Spending of Countries, 20122045 (USD Billion)
Figure 16 Combat Aircraft Fleet, 20162018 (Units)
Figure 17 Boom Refueling System Segment is Expected to Lead During the Forecast Period
Figure 18 Fuel Tanks Segment Projected to Lead the Market During the Forecast Period
Figure 19 Fixed-Wing Segment Estimated to Lead the Market During the Forecast Period
Figure 20 Manned Segment Projected to Lead the Market During the Forecast Period
Figure 21 North America Estimated to Account for the Largest Share of the Market in 2019
Figure 22 North America Snapshot: Air-to-Air Refueling Market Snapshot
Figure 23 Europe: Market Snapshot
Figure 24 Asia Pacific: Air-to-Air Refueling Market Snapshot
Figure 25 Key Developments By Leading Players in Between 2013 and 2019
Figure 26 Market Competitive Leadership Mapping, 2018
Figure 27 Market Ranking of Top Players in the Market, 2018
Figure 28 Cobham PLC: Company Snapshot
Figure 29 Cobham PLC: SWOT Analysis
Figure 30 Eaton Corporation: Company Snapshot
Figure 31 Eaton Corporation: SWOT Analysis
Figure 32 Parker Hannifin Corporation: Company Snapshot
Figure 33 Safran: Company Snapshot
Figure 34 BAE Systems: Company Snapshot
Figure 35 Airbus: Company Snapshot
Figure 36 Airbus: SWOT Analysis
Figure 37 Lockheed Martin Corporation: Company Snapshot
Figure 38 United Technologies Corporation (Collins Aerospace): Company Snapshot
The study considered major activities to estimate the current market size for air-to-air refueling. Exhaustive secondary research was undertaken to collect information on the market, the peer market, and the parent market. The next step was to validate these findings, assumptions, and sizing with industry experts across the value chain through primary research. Both, top-down and bottom-up approaches were employed to estimate the complete market size. Thereafter, market breakdown and data triangulation were used to estimate the market size of segments and subsegments.
In the secondary research process, various secondary sources, such as Hoovers, Bloomberg, BusinessWeek, and Aerospace Magazine were referred to identify and collect information for this study. These secondary sources included annual reports, press releases & investor presentations of companies, white papers, certified publications, articles by recognized authors, gold standard & silver standard websites, regulatory bodies, trade directories, and databases.
The air-to-air refueling market comprises several stakeholders, such as raw material suppliers, end-product manufacturers, and regulatory organizations in the supply chain. The demand side of this market is characterized by various end users, such as OEMs and aftermarket players. The supply side is characterized by advancements in and the development of air-to-air refueling. Various primary sources from both, the supply and demand sides of the market were interviewed to obtain qualitative and quantitative information. Following is the breakdown of primary respondents.
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Both, the top-down and bottom-up approaches were used to estimate and validate the total size of the air-to-air refueling market. These methods were also used extensively to estimate the size of various subsegments in the market. The research methodology used to estimate the market size includes the following details.
After arriving at the overall market sizeusing the market size estimation processes as explained above the market was split into several segments and subsegments. In order to complete the overall market engineering process and arrive at the exact statistics of each market segment and subsegment, the data triangulation and market breakdown procedures were employed, wherever applicable. The data was triangulated by studying various factors and trends from both, the demand and supply sides, in the air-to-air refueling market.
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