North America Unmanned Systems Market Size
| Study Period | 2019 - 2029 |
| Base Year For Estimation | 2023 |
| Market Size (2024) | USD 8.07 Billion |
| Market Size (2029) | USD 14.79 Billion |
| CAGR (2024 - 2029) | 12.87 % |
| Market Concentration | Low |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
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North America Unmanned Systems Market Analysis
The North America Unmanned Systems Market size is estimated at USD 8.07 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 14.79 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 12.87% during the forecast period (2024-2029).
Geopolitical tensions between the United States, China, and Russia have spurred significant investments in developing and deploying unmanned systems, particularly for combat and intelligence missions. These investments are poised to be the primary drivers of the unmanned systems market in the coming years. On the commercial front, the rising adoption of unmanned sea systems for underwater exploration, UGVs in agriculture and emergency services, and UAVs for recreational and disaster relief purposes are poised to fuel the market’s growth.
Despite robust demand, global manufacturers face a shortage of skilled workers crucial for vehicle upgrades. Governments and companies use unmanned systems with advanced technologies like machine learning and artificial intelligence to enhance their autonomous capabilities. These initiatives are set to bolster market demand during the forecast period.
North America Unmanned Systems Market Trends
The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Segment Dominates the Market
- In North America, the UAV market is driven by the presence of the United States. The United States boasts one of the world's largest and most dynamic sectors. Demand for UAVs spans military, civil, and commercial applications, with the US Department of Defense (DoD) utilizing a diverse UAV fleet. These drones range from small tactical units to large strategic platforms, serving missions like intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), electronic warfare (EW), and logistics. In April 2023, the Pentagon unveiled a program to bolster its autonomous systems, including UAVs, in response to China's military advancements.
- Specifically, the US Army is progressing with its Future Tactical Unmanned Aerial System (FTUAS) to replace the Textron RQ-7 Shadow. The emphasis lies on enhancing performance, notably in acoustics and runway independence. Unlike the Shadow, which requires a runway for takeoff and an arresting device for landing, the new tactical scouting UAV is designed for swift deployment and retrieval, even in challenging terrains like dense forests or mountain ridgelines. In a move underscoring this shift, the US Army awarded AeroVironment the contract to supply a JUMP 20 system to a selected brigade combat team in August 2022.
- Moreover, the civil and commercial sectors in the United States are increasingly recognizing the potential of UAVs. Industries are leveraging drones for mapping, surveying, inspections, deliveries, agriculture, media, entertainment, and public safety. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reports a registration of 782,203 commercial UAVs in the United States. Projections from the agency suggest this figure could surge to 858,000 by 2026, underscoring the rising demand for UAVs in the country during the forecast period.
United States Occupy the Largest Market Share
The United States, bolstered by the Department of Defense's investments in advanced unmanned systems, is set to maintain its market dominance. The increasing adoption of unmanned systems in commercial applications further solidifies this dominance.
Within the UAV market, escalating political tensions and the growing need for aerial tactical prowess are propelling the demand for UCAVs. Notably, following Russia's 2022 invasion, the US Pentagon and other entities provided Ukraine with cutting-edge drone technology as part of US aid. Ukraine, in response, has also bolstered its drone arsenal, including small quadcopters and racing drones. Reports from the Royal United Services Institute highlight Ukraine's staggering drone losses, emphasizing the pivotal role and high demand for combat drones in modern warfare.
Turning to the UGV market, heightened border tensions and military advancements have steered the United States toward three key research areas to enhance its robotic ground systems. These focal points include mobility in challenging terrains and the crucial ability for robots to collaborate effectively with human operators. A case in point is the USD 1.7 million contract inked by the US Army with Metawave Corporation in January 2023. The deal aims to bolster the Army's unmanned ground vehicles with advanced sensing and perception radar capabilities. Metawave Corporation is tasked with enhancing its Carson radar technology, which is crucial for autonomous vehicles and enables long-range and adverse weather detection. Also, in December 2023, Serco Inc. received a contract worth USD 68 million from the US Navy for developing and testing autonomous unmanned surface vessels, along with services like system integration, software development, and configuration management. Such developments are expected to drive the demand for the segment during the forecast period.
North America Unmanned Systems Industry Overview
The North American unmanned systems market is fragmented due to several players providing unmanned systems for military, law enforcement, and commercial applications. Some prominent players are The Boeing Company, Elbit Systems Ltd, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, and AeroVironment Inc. To expand their share in the market, the companies are robustly investing in research and development of new unmanned systems with advanced capabilities.
For instance, in June 2022, Teledyne FLIR Defense unveiled the Kobra 725 modular UGV with new capabilities and upgrades compared to its predecessor, the Kobra 710. The new UGV is integrated with new technologies such as AES-256 encryption, field-swappable radio modules, full-HD cameras, and wide-angle visual/thermal mobility cameras, which is suitable for military applications like Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)/counter-vehicle-borne IED missions, weapon integration, remote CBRN detection, and surveillance, among others. Such developments are expected to drive the market in the region during the forecast period.
North America Unmanned Systems Market Leaders
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The Boeing Company
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Elbit Systems Ltd
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Lockheed Martin Corporation
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Teledyne Technologies Incorporated
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AeroVironment Inc.
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
North America Unmanned Systems Market News
- February 2024: the US Department of Defense awarded Oceaneering International Inc. a contract to test and develop its Freedom Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV).
- July 2023: Kratos Defense inked a USD 95 million deal with the US Army. The agreement tasks Kratos with supplying the US Army with unmanned target systems, specifically the BQM-167A target drone. This pivotal drone offers the US Army a realistic, thorough platform for end-to-end weapons-release training.
North America Unmanned Systems Market Report - Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
- 1.1 Study Assumptions
- 1.2 Scope of the Study
2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
4. MARKET DYNAMICS
- 4.1 Market Overview
- 4.2 Market Drivers
- 4.3 Market Restraints
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4.4 Industry Attractiveness - Porter's Five Forces Analysis
- 4.4.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
- 4.4.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers/Consumers
- 4.4.3 Threat of New Entrants
- 4.4.4 Threat of Substitute Products
- 4.4.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry
5. MARKET SEGMENTATION
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5.1 By Type
- 5.1.1 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
- 5.1.2 Unmanned Ground Vehicles
- 5.1.3 Unmanned Sea Systems
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5.2 By Application
- 5.2.1 Civil and Law Enforcement
- 5.2.2 Military
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5.3 By Geography
- 5.3.1 United States
- 5.3.2 Canada
6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
- 6.1 Vendor Market Share
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6.2 Company Profiles
- 6.2.1 The Boeing Company
- 6.2.2 Elbit Systems Ltd
- 6.2.3 Lockheed Martin Corporation
- 6.2.4 Northrop Grumman Corporation
- 6.2.5 L3Harris Technologies Inc.
- 6.2.6 General Dynamics Corporation
- 6.2.7 AeroVironment Inc.
- 6.2.8 Teledyne Technologies Incorporated
- 6.2.9 Drone Delivery Canada
- 6.2.10 SZ DJI Technology Co. Ltd
- *List Not Exhaustive
7. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS
** Subject To AvailablityNorth America Unmanned Systems Industry Segmentation
Unmanned systems are autonomous or remotely controlled robots that perform specific tasks. The North American unmanned systems market includes the procurement of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV or UAS), unmanned ground vehicles (UGV), and unmanned sea systems (surface and underwater) used for commercial, military, and law enforcement applications.
The North American unmanned systems market is segmented by type, application, and geography. By type, the market is segmented into unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned ground vehicles, and unmanned sea systems. By application, the market is divided into civil and law enforcement, as well as the military. The report also covers the market sizes and forecasts for the North American unmanned systems market in two countries. For each segment, the market size is provided in terms of value (USD).
| By Type | Unmanned Aerial Vehicles |
| Unmanned Ground Vehicles | |
| Unmanned Sea Systems | |
| By Application | Civil and Law Enforcement |
| Military | |
| By Geography | United States |
| Canada |
North America Unmanned Systems Market Research FAQs
How big is the North America Unmanned Systems Market?
The North America Unmanned Systems Market size is expected to reach USD 8.07 billion in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 12.87% to reach USD 14.79 billion by 2029.
What is the current North America Unmanned Systems Market size?
In 2024, the North America Unmanned Systems Market size is expected to reach USD 8.07 billion.
Who are the key players in North America Unmanned Systems Market?
The Boeing Company, Elbit Systems Ltd, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Teledyne Technologies Incorporated and AeroVironment Inc. are the major companies operating in the North America Unmanned Systems Market.
What years does this North America Unmanned Systems Market cover, and what was the market size in 2023?
In 2023, the North America Unmanned Systems Market size was estimated at USD 7.03 billion. The report covers the North America Unmanned Systems Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The report also forecasts the North America Unmanned Systems Market size for years: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029.
North America Unmanned Systems Industry Report
Statistics for the 2024 North America Unmanned Systems market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. North America Unmanned Systems analysis includes a market forecast outlook to 2029 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
