US UAV (Drone) Market
US UAV (Drone) Market by Type (Fixed Wing, Rotary Wing, Hybrid), Platform (Civil & Commercial, and Defense & Government), End Use, Technology, Function, Application, Mode of Operation, MTOW, and Range - Forecast to 2030
OVERVIEW
Source: Secondary Research, Interviews with Experts, MarketsandMarkets Analysis
The US UAV (Drone) market is projected to grow from USD 10.75 billion in 2025 to USD 15.78 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 8.0%. The market in the US is driven by investments in defense fleet modernization, reliance on unmanned systems for long-endurance intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, and growing deployment of UAVs for border security and homeland protection. In addition, the US is witnessing growth in commercial UAV applications across various sectors, including inspection, mapping, and monitoring. Furthermore, the advancements in AI-based mission systems, autonomous flight control, BVLOS operational capabilities, and cybersecurity enhancements are boosting the deployment of UAVs for military and commercial platforms.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
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By TypeThe hybrid system segment is projected to grow at the fastest rate from 2025 to 2030.
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By PlatformThe defense & government segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate from 2025 to 2030.
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By ApplicationThe military segment is projected to grow at the fastest rate of 8.4% from 2025 to 2030.
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Competitive Landscape-Key PlayersRTX, Boeing, and General Dynamics Corporation were identified as some of the star players in the US UAV (Drone), given their strong market share and product footprint.
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Competitive Landscape-StartupsZipline, Airspace Link, and SkyX have emerged as leading startups and SMEs by securing strong footholds in autonomous delivery networks, airspace infrastructure, and long-range industrial inspection.
The US UAV (Drone) market is witnessing sustained demand driven by defense modernization, increasing reliance on long-endurance UAVs for intelligence and surveillance missions, and the rising adoption of unmanned systems for infrastructure inspection, logistics, utilities, and public safety operations.
TRENDS & DISRUPTIONS IMPACTING CUSTOMERS' CUSTOMERS
Several UAV startups in the US are chasing growth in their venture capital funding, strategic partnerships, and joint development programs to accelerate the advancements in drone systems or technologies. Such momentum is likely to boost the growth of critical betterments in autonomy, sensor performance, and operational infrastructure that ultimately will expand the adoption of drones and broaden the national customer base.
Source: Secondary Research, Interviews with Experts, MarketsandMarkets Analysis
MARKET DYNAMICS
Level
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Growing demand for advanced ISR, border security, and long-endurance UAV systems to support expanding defense and homeland security missions
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Increasing adoption of UAVs for infrastructure inspection, utilities monitoring, emergency response, and enterprise-level data acquisition across commercial sectors
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High procurement, integration, and sustainment costs associated with large military UAV platforms and advanced sensor payloads
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Regulatory limitations involving BVLOS operations, airspace integration, and certification requirements that restrict large-scale commercial expansion
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Expansion of UAV applications in linear infrastructure inspection, disaster assessment, precision agriculture, and BVLOS-enabled commercial services
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Rising demand for autonomous and optionally piloted UAVs supporting cargo delivery, urban air mobility testing, and high-frequency logistics missions
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Operational complexity arising from dense airspace, severe weather conditions, and requirements for advanced detect-and-avoid systems
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Elevated cybersecurity and electronic warfare risks, including GPS interference, signal spoofing, and data-link disruption targeting UAV platforms
Source: Secondary Research, Interviews with Experts, MarketsandMarkets Analysis
Driver: Growing demand for advanced ISR, border security, and long-endurance UAV systems to support expanding defense and homeland security missions
The US continues to increase investment in UAVs to strengthen border surveillance, maritime domain awareness, and persistent ISR coverage for defense and homeland security operations. Long-endurance UAVs provide continuous monitoring across wide land and coastal boundaries, enabling early threat detection, rapid response coordination, and improved situational awareness.
Restraint:High procurement, integration, and sustainment costs associated with large military UAV platforms and advanced sensor payloads
Large UAVs equipped with advanced EO/IR systems, secure communication suites, and long-endurance propulsion technologies require significant upfront investment and ongoing operational expenditure. Costs related to airframe maintenance, payload upgrades, cybersecurity compliance, and pilot or operator training add to the long-term lifecycle burden.
Opportunity: Expansion of UAV applications in linear infrastructure inspection, disaster assessment, precision agriculture, and BVLOS-enabled commercial services
The US is witnessing strong demand for drones for UAV-based inspection and monitoring operations for commercial applications. The commercial applications include power lines, oil & gas pipelines, rail corridors, telecom towers, and renewable energy assets. Drones offer faster, safer, and more cost-effective alternatives to manual or crewed inspections, enabling high-frequency data collection and improved asset management.
Challenge: Operational complexity arising from dense airspace, severe weather conditions, and requirements for advanced detect-and-avoid systems
The US presents a unique operational environment characterized by congested airspace, dynamic weather patterns, and strict aviation safety requirements. UAVs operating near urban centers, airports, and controlled airspace must comply with stringent detect-and-avoid protocols to ensure safe integration.
US UAV (DRONE) MARKET: COMMERCIAL USE CASES ACROSS INDUSTRIES
| COMPANY | USE CASE DESCRIPTION | BENEFITS |
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Provides small tactical UAVs such as Puma, Raven, and Wasp for persistent ISR, border security, and battlefield reconnaissance for US defense and homeland security missions; supports operations in austere environments with long-endurance, all-weather capability | Strengthens situational awareness for military units and homeland security agencies; enables real-time intelligence gathering, extends surveillance range, and reduces risk to personnel during high-threat missions |
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Deploys long-endurance UAVs such as MQ-9A Reaper and MQ-9B SkyGuardian for strategic ISR, border surveillance, and maritime domain awareness; supports multi-payload operations including EO/IR, SIGINT, radar, and communication relay | Provides persistent surveillance over wide areas, enhances border protection, and improves early threat detection; enables multi-mission flexibility, lowers operational costs compared to manned aircraft, and supports 24/7 intelligence and security operations |
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Operates fixed-wing autonomous delivery drones for rapid transport of medical supplies, lab samples, and urgent goods across rural and suburban areas of the US; uses precise aerial delivery systems for healthcare networks | Improves delivery times for critical medical supplies, reduces logistics bottlenecks, and increases healthcare access in underserved regions; enables cost-effective, low-emission delivery operations with high reliability |
Logos and trademarks shown above are the property of their respective owners. Their use here is for informational and illustrative purposes only.
MARKET ECOSYSTEM
The US UAV (drone) market ecosystem is driven by collaborations across UAV platform manufacturers, service providers, and the respective end users. Some of the leading aerospace & defense OEMs are engaged with the development of advanced UAV platforms, while the service providers are engaged in delivering the required support, such as data analytics, flight operations, and mission support solutions. End users include the customers from industries such as military and commercial that are further accelerating the adoption of UAVs and drones, creating a dynamic ecosystem driven by innovation, operational efficiency, and expanding mission requirements.
Logos and trademarks shown above are the property of their respective owners. Their use here is for informational and illustrative purposes only.
MARKET SEGMENTS
Source: Secondary Research, Interviews with Experts, MarketsandMarkets Analysis
US UAV (Drone) Market, By Application
The military segment dominates the US UAV (drone) market, due to high demand from ISR, targeting, and situational awareness operations across the US armed and homeland security forces. Further, the increasing dependency on UAVs for long-endurance & precision surveillance operations, along with critical tactical mission support, continues to boost the adoption of high-performance UAV systems.
US UAV (Drone) Market, By Platform
The defense & government segment remains a dominant segment as US agencies actively rely on UAVs for border security, public safety, and national defense missions. The UAV operators across the country have been prioritizing payloads that enhance reconnaissance accuracy, secure communications, and mission resilience.
US UAV (Drone) Market, By Type
The fixed-wing segment dominates the US market as operators require long-endurance, high-altitude performance to support wide-area surveillance and extended mission durations. These platforms accommodate larger payloads and advanced sensors, providing superior coverage for defense and commercial users.
US UAV (Drone) Market, By Mode of Operation
The optionally piloted segment is dominant owing to its ability to switch between autonomous and piloted operation, offering enhanced flexibility for diverse mission profiles. This mode supports higher payload capacity, increased operational safety, and more reliable navigation in complex or high-risk environments.
US UAV (Drone) Market, By MTOW
The 2–25 kg segment dominates the US market because it balances payload capability with operational ease. These UAVs are widely deployed for defense reconnaissance, commercial inspections, and public safety missions.
US UAV (Drone) Market, By Range
The BVLOS segment dominates the US market due to rising demand for long-range intelligence gathering, infrastructure monitoring, and border-security surveillance. Operators benefit from extended coverage, higher operational efficiency, and improved data acquisition.
US UAV (Drone) Market, By Function
Special-purpose drones dominate the US market as they meet mission-specific requirements for disaster response, environmental monitoring, law enforcement operations, and precision reconnaissance. Their ability to integrate custom sensors, ruggedized airframes, and advanced mission systems enhances operational performance.
US UAV (Drone) Market, By End Use
The defense & security segment leads the US market due to rising requirements for persistent surveillance, threat detection, and tactical mission support. Investments in advanced payloads, targeting systems, and secure communication technologies continue to enhance mission accuracy and situational awareness.
US UAV (Drone) Market, By Technology
The conventional drone segment dominates due to proven reliability, mature supply chains, and widespread applicability across both defense and commercial operations. These platforms support a wide range of payloads, enabling efficient execution of ISR, mapping, inspection, and emergency response missions.
REGION
US to be fastest-growing country in North America UAV market during forecast period
The US UAV (Drone) market is expected to register strong growth during the forecast period, driven by increasing adoption of unmanned systems for long-endurance surveillance, expanding investment in advanced defense capabilities, and rising demand for autonomous inspection and monitoring across critical infrastructure and energy sectors.
US UAV (DRONE) MARKET: COMPANY EVALUATION MATRIX
The US UAV (Drone) market matrix comprises RTX (Star), which leads with a strong, dominant position, with its next-generation UAV systems contributing to its leadership in the industry. Anduril Industries (Emerging Leader) is showing a competitive global presence with robust UAV offerings to strengthen its market position in the drone industry.
Source: Secondary Research, Interviews with Experts, MarketsandMarkets Analysis
KEY MARKET PLAYERS
- RTX
- Boeing
- General Dynamics Corporation
- Northrop Grumman
- Textron Inc.
- L3Harris Technologies Inc.
- Kratos
- AeroVironment, Inc.
- General Atomics
- Anduril Industries
MARKET SCOPE
| REPORT METRIC | DETAILS |
|---|---|
| Market Size in 2025 (Value) | USD 10.75 Billion |
| Market Forecast in 2030 (Value) | USD 15.78 Billion |
| Growth Rate | CAGR of 8.0% from 2025-2030 |
| Years Considered | 2021–2030 |
| Base Year | 2024 |
| Forecast Period | 2025–2030 |
| Units Considered | Value (USD BN) |
| Report Coverage | Revenue forecast, company ranking, competitive landscape, growth factors, and trends |
| Segments Covered |
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| Country Covered | US |
WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOU: US UAV (DRONE) MARKET REPORT CONTENT GUIDE
DELIVERED CUSTOMIZATIONS
We have successfully delivered the following deep-dive customizations:
| CLIENT REQUEST | CUSTOMIZATION DELIVERED | VALUE ADDS |
|---|---|---|
| Leading Manufacturer | Additional segment breakdown for countries | Additional country-level market sizing tables for segments/sub-segments covered at the regional/global level to gain an understanding of market potential by each country |
| Emerging Leader | Additional company profiles | Competitive information on targeted players to gain granular insights on direct competition |
| Regional Market Leader | Additional country market estimates | Additional country-level deep dive for a more targeted understanding of the total addressable market |
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
- November 2025 : AeroVironment secured a large indefinite-delivery contract with the US Army valued at up to USD 874 million. The contract covers the production of multiple drone types, including Puma AE3, Puma Long Endurance, Puma Hybrid, and Raven, intended for ISR, long-endurance surveillance, and tactical missions.
- July 2025 : AeroVironment, Inc. (US) announced enhancements to its Puma 3 AE unmanned aircraft, integrating a new multi-sensor payload with improved optical zoom and extended-range communications. The update increased mission endurance for border surveillance, maritime operations, and environmental monitoring.
- May 2025 : General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) (US) unveiled a new modular payload architecture for the MQ-9 series, enabling operators to integrate advanced radar, EO/IR sensors, and electronic warfare modules. This improves flexibility for ISR missions and supports evolving defense modernization priorities in North America.
Table of Contents
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Methodology
This research study on the US UAV (Drone) Market extensively used secondary sources, directories, and databases such as Hoovers, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, and Factiva to identify and collect information relevant to the market. Primary sources included industry experts, service providers, manufacturers, solution providers, technology developers, alliances, and organizations related to all segments of this industry’s value chain. In-depth interviews with primary respondents, including key industry participants, subject matter experts, industry consultants, and C-level executives, were conducted to obtain and verify critical qualitative and quantitative information about the US UAV (Drone) Market and assess the market’s growth prospects.
Secondary Research
The market share of companies in the US UAV (Drone) Market was determined using the secondary data acquired through paid and unpaid sources, and by analyzing the product portfolios of major companies operating in the market. These companies were rated based on the performance and quality of their products. Primary sources further validated these data points.
Secondary sources for this research study included financial statements of companies offering UAV services, infrastructure and software providers, and various trade, business, and professional associations. Secondary data was collected and analyzed, and was validated by primary respondents.
Primary Research
Extensive primary research was conducted after acquiring information on the US UAV (Drone) Market through secondary research. Several primary interviews were conducted with market experts from the demand and supply sides across major countries in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. Primary data was collected through questionnaires, emails, and telephonic interviews.
Market Size Estimation
All percentage shares, splits, and breakdowns were determined using secondary sources and 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. This data was consolidated, enhanced with detailed inputs, analyzed by MarketsandMarkets, and presented in this report.
- Top-down and bottom-up approaches were used to estimate and validate the size of the US UAV (Drone) Market.
- Key players were identified through secondary research, and their market ranking was determined through primary and secondary research. This included a study of annual and financial reports of the top market players and extensive interviews of leaders, including CEOs, directors, and marketing executives.
Data Triangulation
After arriving at the overall size of the US UAV (Drone) Market from the market size estimation process explained above, the total market was split into several segments and subsegments. Wherever applicable, data triangulation and market breakdown procedures described below were implemented 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 different factors and trends from both the demand and supply sides. Additionally, the market size was validated using both top-down and bottom-up approaches.
Market Definition
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are remotely piloted, optionally piloted, or fully autonomous aerial vehicles that play a significant role in the defense and commercial sectors. They are commonly termed drones and are mostly known for their wide usage in various military missions, such as border surveillance and combat operations. These vehicles are also used for mapping, surveying, and determining the weather conditions of a specific area.
Key Stakeholders
- UAV (Drone) Suppliers
- UAV (Drone) Component Manufacturers
- UAV (Drone) Manufacturers
- UAV (Drone) Pilot Training Institutes
- Technology Support Providers
- UAV (Drone) Software/Hardware/Service and Solution Providers
- Regulatory Bodies
- UAV (Drone) Consultants
- Defense Forces
Report Objectives
- To define, describe, segment, and forecast the size of the UAV market based on platform, system, industry, application, mode of operation, maximum take-off weight (MTOW), type, range, sales channel, function, technology, and region
- To forecast the size of various market segments with respect to six major regions, namely North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa
- To identify and analyze key drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges influencing the growth of the market across the globe
- To identify industry trends, market trends, and technology trends that are currently prevailing in the market
- To provide an overview of the tariff and regulatory landscape with respect to drone regulations across regions
- To analyze micromarkets with respect to individual growth trends, prospects, and their contribution to the overall market
- To analyze opportunities in the market for stakeholders by identifying key market trends
- To profile key market players and comprehensively analyze their market shares and core competencies
- To analyze the degree of competition in the market by identifying key growth strategies, such as acquisitions, product launches, contracts, and partnerships, adopted by leading market players
- To identify detailed financial positions, key products, and unique selling points of leading companies in the market
- To provide a detailed competitive landscape of the market, along with market ranking analysis, market share analysis, and revenue analysis of key players
Customization Options
Along with the market data, MarketsandMarkets offers customizations to meet the specific needs of companies. The following customization options are available for the report:
Product Analysis
- Product matrix, which gives a detailed comparison of the product portfolio of each company
Regional Analysis
- Further breakdown of the market segments at the country level
Company Information
- Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to 5)
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Growth opportunities and latent adjacency in US UAV (Drone) Market