Unmanned Composites Market Size, Share, Growth, Forecast 2030

Unmanned Composites Industry Prospective:

The global unmanned composites market size was worth around USD 2300 million in 2022 and is predicted to grow to around USD 6800 million by 2030 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of roughly 14.5% between 2023 and 2030.    

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Unmanned Composites Market: Overview

In the unmanned composites market, composite-built unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones are developed, produced, and offered for sale. The term "composite" refers to a group of components that, when mixed, produce a substance with unique chemical or physical properties based on the qualities of the individual components. Unmanned composites are ideally suited for usage in UAVs for a range of activities like surveillance, reconnaissance, and airborne mapping since they are lightweight and tough. The market for unmanned composite materials is expanding quickly, in addition to the increased need for unmanned aircraft in the commercial, military, and client sectors. This market includes companies that create and produce composite materials as well as those that create and sell UAVs made of these materials.

Key Insights

• As per the analysis shared by our research analyst, the global Unmanned Composites market is estimated to grow annually at a CAGR of around 14.5% over the forecast period (2023-2030).
• In terms of revenue, the global Unmanned Composites market size was valued at around USD 2300 million in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 6800 million, by 2030.
• The global Unmanned Composites market is expected to be driven by several factors such as increasing investment in advanced technology and growing uses of drones in the military & defense sector.
• Based on the type, the Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) segment is expected to dominate the market over the forecast period.
• Based on the platform, the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) segment is expected to hold the largest market share over the forecast period.
• Based on region, Europe is expected to dominate the market over the forecast period.

Unmanned Composites Market: Growth Drivers

Growing demand for lightweight unmanned systems drives market growth

Composite materials are in high demand because they can provide lightweight structures and better unmanned systems. For instance, there is a considerable demand for military UAVs since they are used for maritime patrol, armed attacks, search and rescue, and aerial surveillance. As a result, there is an increased demand for unmanned composites, which is boosting the growth of the global unmanned composites market. Such UAVs employ specialized composites such as boron fiber and aramid fiber.

Unmanned Composites Market: Restraints

High cost and complexity in the manufacturing process impedes market growth

Compared to conventional materials like aluminum or steel, composite materials might be more costly. As a result, unmanned systems utilizing composites may have higher initial costs, which might limit their use in price-sensitive businesses. Furthermore, the production of composite components can be a complex process requiring specialized tools and manpower. Due to its intricacy, manufacturing times and expenses may go up. Thus, this is expected to impede the unmanned composites industry growth during the forecast period.

Unmanned Composites Market: Opportunities

Growing product launches offer a lucrative opportunity for market growth

The growing product launches are expected to offer a lucrative opportunity to global unmanned composites market growth during the forecast period. For instance, in March 2023, ARRIS, a cutting-edge producer that enables high-performance thermoplastic composites at scale for mass-market goods and industrial applications, recently unveiled "Structural Flax" as a new sustainable fiber material. Flax fiber composites for structural purposes have a 5% lower carbon footprint than carbon fiber, according to ARRIS. Thus, this kind of product launch in the market has the potential to offer a prosperous opportunity for revenue growth.

Unmanned Composites Market: Challenges

Quality control and limited recycling options act as a major challenge for the market growth

It's crucial to guarantee the quality and dependability of composite components, especially in safety-sensitive fields like aviation. It can be difficult, time-consuming, and expensive to meet demanding certification criteria. Additionally, recycling and environmentally friendly disposal of composite materials are frequently problematic. This presents environmental difficulties and might raise questions about the long-term effects of composite trash. Thereby, acting as a major challenge to the market growth.

Unmanned Composites Market: Segmentation

The global Unmanned Composites industry is segmented based on type, application, platform, and region.

Based on the type, the global market is bifurcated into Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP), Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP), Aramid Fiber Reinforced Polymer (AFRP), Boron Fiber Reinforced Polymer (BFRP). The Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) segment is expected to dominate the market over the forecast period. The excellent strength-to-weight ratio of CFRP is well recognized. The design of unmanned systems, where it is essential to reduce weight while retaining structural integrity, places a premium on this attribute. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) benefit from the lighter weight of CFRP materials, which also extends flight endurance and improves agility for unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) and undersea vehicles (UUVs). Moreover, this is extremely well suited for unmanned systems working in challenging situations, such as severe climates and maritime environments, due to its great resistance to corrosion, chemicals, and environmental variables. These systems last longer due to their increased durability, which lowers their need for maintenance and downtime. Thereby, driving the market growth over the forecast period.

Based on the application, the global Unmanned Composites industry is bifurcated into interior and exterior.

Based on the platform, the global unmanned composites market is bifurcated into Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV), Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV), Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), Autonomous Ships, Passenger Drone. The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) segment is expected to hold the largest market share over the forecast period. UAVs, often known as drones, are frequently utilized in a variety of military operations and the aviation industry. Military UAVs, which are employed particularly for aerial surveillance, law enforcement, search & rescue operations, armed attacks, and marine patrol, are in more demand. Due to the usage of specialized composites in these UAVs, such as boron and aramid fiber, the demand for composites is rising. Thereby, driving the market expansion.

Unmanned Composites Market: Report Scope

Unmanned Composites Market: Regional Analysis

Europe is expected to dominate the market growth

Europe is expected to dominate the global unmanned composites market growth over the forecast period. Shipments of unmanned systems from nations including the UK, France, Russia, and Germany are principally responsible for the market growth in this region. The need for composite materials is being supported by the increase in shipments made by unmanned system OEMs situated in these nations. One of the key aspects propelling the unmanned composites market in European nations is the demand for composites to reduce weight.

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North America is expected to hold a significant market share over the forecast period. The aerospace and defense industry in North America, especially the United States, is thriving and primarily depends on composite materials for unmanned systems. This comprises reconnaissance aircraft, drones for surveillance, and military UAVs. The development of composite technology for unmanned applications has been significantly helped by major aerospace and defense firms in North America such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and General Atomics. Moreover, significant investments and finance are attracted to North America for unmanned systems and composite technology firms. Companies engaged in the research, development, and production of unmanned systems and composites receive financial assistance from venture capital firms, government funding, and defense contracts. Thus, this is expected to dominate the market growth in the region.

Unmanned Composites Market: Competitive Analysis

The global Unmanned Composites market is dominated by players like:

• TORAY INDUSTRIES
• Hexcel Corporation INC.
• Stratasys Ltd.
• Teledyne Technologies Incorporated
• Gurit
• Solvay
• Owens Corning
• Materion Corporation
• Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
• Renegade Materials Corporation
• TEIJIN LIMITED
• Unitech Aerospace
• Carbon by Design
• Lavoisier Composites
• Northrop Grumman
• Koninklijke Ten Cate bv
• Norco Composites & GRP
• AZoNetwork and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc.

The global Unmanned Composites market is segmented as follows:

By Type

• Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP)
  • Carbon Fiber
  • Matrix
• Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP)
  • Glass Fiber
  • Matrix
• Aramid Fiber Reinforced Polymer (AFRP)
  • Aramid Fiber
  • Matrix
• Boron Fiber Reinforced Polymer (BFRP)
  • Boron Fiber
  • Matrix

By Application

• Interior
  • Cabin
  • Sandwich Panel
  • Deck
• Exterior
  • Fuselage
  • Engine
  • Wing
  • Rotor Blade
  • Tail Boom
  • Hull

By Platform

• Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)
  • Class II (150-600 Kg)
  • Class III (More than 600 Kg)
• Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV)
  • Medium (200-500 Lbs)
  • Large (500-1000 Lbs)
  • Very Large (1000-2000 Lbs)
  • Extremely Large (More than 2000 Lbs)
• Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV)
  • Small
  • Large
  • Medium
  • Extra Large
• Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV)
  • Man Portable Vehicles
  • Lightweight Vehicles
  • Heavyweight Vehicles
  • Large Vehicles
• Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV)
  • Small Vehicles
  • High Capacity Electric Vehicles
  • Work Class Vehicles
  • Heavy Work Class Vehicles
• Autonomous Ship
• Passenger Drone

By Region

• North America
  • The U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • France 
  • The UK
  • Spain
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Southeast Asia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa
  • GCC
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa