Market Trends of North America Unmanned Systems Industry
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.
