Fixed Wing Drone Market

Fixed Wing Drone Market Outlook (2024 to 2034)

Revenue from the global fixed wing drone market is estimated to reach US$ 8.3 billion in 2024 and has been forecasted to climb to a value of US$ 40.6 billion by the end of 2034, expanding at a CAGR of 17.2% between 2024 and 2034.

Fixed-wing drones play a crucial role in military defense, often carrying missiles to accurately hit targets from high altitudes. In the construction industry, these drones are equally important, especially in the planning and design stages of major projects. They are essential for creating maps and conducting surveys to gather detailed information about complex surface areas.

This requires a significant amount of time as well as a workforce to accomplish the mapping and surveying of such larger construction areas, whereas commercial UAVs can do this in seconds and also save millions of dollars.

Key Market Growth Drivers

• The global navigation system helps enable end users to enjoy accurate, fast, and consistent detection results. Increase in the demand for drones powered by artificial intelligence to detect and analyze the intensity of rig structure coating breakdown and corrosion on ships is driving drone fixed wing drone market growth.
• Fixed wing LiDAR drones are the first choice for inspection operations because they are equipped with advanced sensors and laser technology.
• The market is projected to grow at a noteworthy pace due to their increasing use in monitoring application types.
• Unmanned aerial vehicle solutions have a wide range of applications in the military and defense sector for effective asset and area surveillance to achieve optimal operational efficiency, thus contributing to the expansion of the fixed wing drone market size.
• Government spending on drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles is on the rise due to rising terrorist threats and security concerns around the world.
• A UAV or drone can perform stealth operations, work at night, operate anywhere, and be used efficiently in a variety of operating conditions. Such advantages have prompted governments to invest more to procure and develop a large number of UAVs around the world, which is a key fixed wing drone market trend.

Report Attributes	Details
Fixed Wing Drone Market Size (2024E)	US$ 8.3 Billion
Projected Market Value (2034F)	US$ 40.6 Billion
Global Market Growth Rate (2024 to 2034)	17.2% CAGR
East Asia Market Share (2024E)	23.6% CAGR
North America Market Share (2024E)	34.2%
Sales through OEMs (2034F)	US$ 20.71 Billion
Revenue from 25 to 150 Kg Payload Segment (2024E)	US$ 5.45 Billion
Key Companies Profiled	Alti UAS; Arcturus UAV, Inc.; A-Techsyn; Autel Robotics; AVY; DJI; Bluebird Aero Systems Ltd.; Carbonix; Elroy Air; Height Technologies; Ideaforge; Latitude Engineering; Lockheed Martin Corporation; Quantum-Systems GmbH; Sunbirds; Textron Inc.

Why is There High Deployment of Fixed Wing Drones in Several Countries?

“Fixed Wing Drones Facilitating Autonomous Operations and Data Gathering”

Fixed-wing drones can fly autonomously and gather data with little to no human involvement and without having people on board. Fixed wing drones used in defense operations are significantly increasing globally.

• For instance, using target data gathered by fixed-wing drones, the European missile group MBDA successfully hit a test target with a new anti-tank missile, the Missile Moyenne Portee (MMP), in January 2021. The tank was detected and located using a French-made Novadem NX70 fixed wing drone, according to MBDA officials, which was operating outside the operator's line of sight.
• In addition, Turkish defense giant Aselsan successfully piloted its Saka ultra-compact unmanned aerial vehicle in May 2021 (UAV). According to company representatives, the Saka system has a three-axis gimbal, weighs 600 grams, and is intended for aerial surveillance.

What are the Key Challenges Faced by Manufacturers of Fixed Wing Drones?

“Limited Pilot Availability and Autonomy and Safety Concerns”

Unlike conventional aircraft, operators of fixed-wing VTOL UAVs must ensure the overall reliability of the unmanned aerial system, which includes UAVs, ground control stations, and communication equipment. These UAVs can fly at various altitudes, but they require pilots to control and operate them, as well as trained personnel for remote piloting.

Number of pilots available for such high-precision operations is relatively small. Drone adoption in commercial, law enforcement, and government applications is increasing, resulting in a greater demand for skilled fixed-wing VTOL UAV pilots. To reduce the number of accidents caused by operators' poor control skills, efforts are currently being made to improve the autonomy of these systems, reducing the need for human operators.

Country-wise Insights

North America is expected to hold a global fixed wing drone market share of 34.2% in 2024. The region is projected to cover a significant share of fixed-wing UAVs, followed by Asia Pacific and Europe. This is due to the increased demand for fixed-wing VTOL UAVs in the North American region for applications including firefighting and disaster management, maritime security, agriculture, product delivery, and inspection and monitoring, among others.

Why is the United States Account for Significant Demand for Fixed Wing Drones?

“Extensive Use of Fixed Wing Drones for Traffic Surveillance Purposes”

Attribute	United States
Market Value (2024E)	US$ 1.38 Billion
Growth Rate (2024 to 2034)	17.9% CAGR
Projected Value (2034F)	US$ 7.16 Billion

The United States is expected to account for 48.6% of the North America market in 2024 due to the high demand for fixed-wing drones for traffic surveillance, disaster management, law enforcement activities, and survey purposes. It is also widely used in commercial applications such as product delivery, surveying and mapping, inspection, and monitoring.

What Makes China a Highly Lucrative Market for Fixed Wing Drone Manufacturers?

“Government Policies Promoting Innovations and Investments in Drone Manufacturing”

Attribute	China
Market Value (2024E)	US$ 1.17 Million
Growth Rate (2024 to 2034)	16.4% CAGR
Projected Value (2034F)	US$ 5.34 Million

China is expected to capture 59.6% of the East Asia market in 2024. The drone business in China has grown rapidly in recent years with the emergence of many companies producing drones for commercial, industrial, and military purposes.

Technological advancements, coupled with increasing domestic demand in various fields and government support policies, have strongly boosted the growth of China's drone industry, making it an attractive market for enterprises.

• DJI, the world's largest drone maker, is making drones more popular in China. DJI has long been the world leader in drone manufacturing, holding a significant share of the global drone market.

Category-wise Insights

Fixed-wing drones are used for photography, product delivery, greenhouse gas emissions monitoring, and wildlife research and conservation applications. Use of drones also extends to the agriculture, real estate, mining, oil, and gas industries. In the agricultural sector, use of fixed-wing drones has led to the development of precision agriculture, allowing farmers to monitor crop health, monitor irrigation systems, and identify different types of weeds.

Which Payload is Widely Preferred in Fixed Wing Drones?

“25 to 150 kg Drones Providing Greater Range and Endurance”

Attribute	25 to 150 kg
Segment Value (2024E)	US$ 5.45 Million
Growth Rate (2024 to 2034)	18% CAGR
Projected Value (2034F)	US$ 28.5 Billion

Fixed-wing drones with payload capacities ranging from 25 to 150 kg can transport heavier and more diverse payloads. They can also support multiple sensors or equipment at once and transport larger cargo or supplies. These payloads also have a greater range and endurance. They have more fuel or battery capacity allowing them to travel further and stay airborne for longer periods. It is also appropriate for long-distance missions or extensive survey operations.

What Role Do OEMs Play in Ensuring Reliability and Safety of Fixed-Wing Drones?

“High-Quality Standards Set by OEMs Influencing Uptake of Fixed Wing Drones”

Attribute	OEMs
Segment Value (2024E)	US$ 4.53 Billion
Growth Rate (2024 to 2034)	16.4% CAGR
Projected Value (2034F)	US$ 20.7 Billion

Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are spending heavily on research & development to develop new and improved fixed-wing drone technologies. They are driving improvements in battery life, flight control systems, and payload capacity. OEMs are creating and manufacturing the core components of fixed-wing drone systems. They are developing a wide range of products to meet the needs of different market segments and applications.

OEMs are also responsible for the dependability and safety of fixed-wing drones. Their quality standards are influencing market acceptance as well as regulatory compliance. OEMs frequently lead efforts to educate potential customers on the advantages and applications of fixed-wing drones. They demonstrate use cases and ROI, resulting in widespread adoption across industries.

Competitive Landscape

Key players in fixed wing drone market are constantly developing innovative product designs to meet the modern challenges associated with component placement in harsh environments. Some prominent players have adopted competitive pricing strategies in the fixed wing drone market.

The company has built constructive partnerships and collaborations with governments and end-user industries. Increasing demand for modern drones and accessories allows market participants to expand their product range. Market participants are concentrating resources and capital on research and development while looking to expand their regional footprint.

• ALTI UAS is a major player in this market based out of South Africa. It provides a diverse range of fixed-wing VTOL UAVs with several applications, including security and surveillance, mapping and photography, and agriculture, among others.
• Aerovironment, Inc. is another major manufacturer of these UAVs based out of the United States. This market is where the company sells military-grade products. The company's strategy for long-term growth includes joint ventures and partnerships.

Fact.MR provides detailed information about the price points of leading manufacturers of fixed wing drones positioned across the world, sales growth, production capacity, and technological advancements, in this recently updated market report.

Segmentation of Fixed Wing Drone Market Research

• By Payload:

  • Less than 25 kg
  • 25 to 150 kg
  • Above 150 kg

• By Application:

  • Filming & Photography
  • Inspection & Maintenance
  • Mapping & Surveying
  • Precision Agriculture
  • Surveillance & Monitoring

• By End-use Industry:

  • Agriculture & Forestry
  • Delivery & Logistics
  • Media & Entertainment
  • Construction & Mining
  • Oil & Gas
  • Security & Law Enforcement
  • Recreational Activity

• By Sales Channel:

  • Online
  • Offline
  • OEMs
  • Aftermarket

• By Region:

  • North America
  • Latin America
  • East Asia
  • South Asia & Pacific
  • Western Europe
  • Eastern Europe
  • Middle East & Africa