Please Wait.....
Report
Autonomous Aircraft - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2025 - 2030)
Market Report I 2025-04-28 I 120 Pages I Mordor Intelligence
The Autonomous Aircraft Market size is estimated at USD 7.77 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 17.09 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 17.07% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
The autonomous aircraft market is going through a transformative phase, driven by the intersection of safety regulations, technological advancements, and collaborative initiatives within the aviation industry. Safety enhancement and cost efficiency emerge as primary drivers, echoing the aviation industry's quest for innovative solutions to improve operational efficiency. There is a constant target for reducing the dependence on traditional pilot-centric models and increasing air safety through automation that surpasses human performance in certain scenarios.
The autonomous aircraft market faces substantial restraint in the form of regulatory challenges and public perception about no-pilot flying. The FAA and other aviation authorities are certifying the safety of autonomous systems, but the public's trust in pilotless flights remains a significant obstacle. Moreover, concerns from pilot unions and the broader public about removing the human element persist, requiring authorities to maintain a delicate balance to integrate autonomous systems in aircraft successfully.
Despite these challenges, technological advancements, especially in machine learning and AI, are propelling the autonomous aircraft industry forward. Companies like Xwing are conducting automated test missions and planning to equip autonomous systems onboard cargo aircraft.
Autonomous Aircraft Market Trends
Autonomous Cargo Aircraft to Witness Rapid Market Share Growth During the Forecast Period
Cargo planes are expected to be the first to adopt this autonomous aircraft technology. In passenger flights, safety and the lives of people are given paramount importance, and thus, the adoption of autonomous aircraft should start after continuous and rigorous testing is done. This is not the case with cargo aircraft, as the level of life risk is zero with the use of autonomous aircraft in cargo planes. The growth in the e-commerce industry is driving the demand for air cargo, which may increase the demand for air cargo pilots in the future.
Most of the developments in the autonomous aircraft market are aimed at bringing autonomous cargo aircraft into commercial use to fill in the gap due to the pilot shortage. For instance, in May 2023, Xwing was awarded a contract by the US Air Force to conduct pilotless cargo trials. As per the terms of the contract, Xwing will coordinate the identification of best use cases for autonomous flight operations with the Air Force and military stakeholders. Xwing will also conduct test flights that include a fusion of flight control systems, auto takeoff/landing, Detect-and-Avoid (DAA) systems, auto braking, auto taxi, and remote operations software to enable autonomous operations on the Cessna 208B platform.
North America is Expected to Continue its Market Share Dominance During the Forecast Period
Currently, the US is increasingly focused on the development of autonomous aircraft. Though the usage of autonomous aircraft has witnessed a slight setback due to the current regulatory framework in the commercial aviation sector, persistent R&D in the military sector for autonomous aircraft has been driving the growth of the market studied.
Technological advancement, which is high in countries like the US, has led to the development of advanced autonomous aircraft. These can adapt to changing conditions as well as handle flying situations without any human intervention. For instance, in December 2022, as a part of the Skyborg Program, the US DoD tested the autonomous F-16 jet VISTA X-62A for more than 17 hours of autonomous flight. In the test simulation, the VISTA jet operated by AI engaged in fighter maneuver skills and simulated dog fights, and AI outperformed the human pilot. The US military also tested the first flight of a Black Hawk helicopter in November 2022. Lockheed Martin provided a model following algorithm (MFA) and a system for autonomous control of the simulation (SACS) updates for the VISTA jet before testing.
In the future, autonomous aircraft are also envisioned to be adopted on a wide scale for air cargo operations. This has encouraged the initiation of several R&D projects and fostered the entry of new players in the autonomous aircraft ecosystem. For instance, in July 2023, Ribbit, a cargo airline startup developing software for autonomous flight, signed a USD 1.3 million contract with Transport Canada and Innovative Solutions Canada to begin testing self-flying aircraft in remote regions. Such developments are expected to boost the growth of the market studied in the North American region.
Autonomous Aircraft Industry Overview
The autonomous aircraft market is still incubating. Hence, it is consolidated in nature as a handful of players such as The Boeing Company, Airbus SE, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Textron Inc., and BAE Systems plc dominate market share, especially in the defense sector. However, most of the technologies being tested in the autonomous aircraft market are already the design standards in the UAV industry.
Hence, it still trails in the measure of innovative developments in passenger and cargo-carrying applications. Nevertheless, there are certain inherent capabilities exclusive to autonomous aircraft when compared to UAVs, such as endurance. The relatively new concepts are opening many opportunities for players to venture into the market.
Additional Benefits:
- The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format
- 3 months of analyst support
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition
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
4.4 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
5.1 Aircraft Type
5.1.1 Fixed-wing
5.1.2 Rotary-wing
5.2 Application
5.2.1 Cargo Aircraft
5.2.2 Passenger Aircraft
5.3 End-user
5.3.1 Commercial
5.3.2 Defense
5.4 Geography
5.4.1 North America
5.4.1.1 United States
5.4.1.2 Canada
5.4.2 Europe
5.4.2.1 United Kingdom
5.4.2.2 France
5.4.2.3 Germany
5.4.2.4 Italy
5.4.2.5 Russia
5.4.2.6 Rest of Europe
5.4.3 Asia-Pacific
5.4.3.1 China
5.4.3.2 India
5.4.3.3 Japan
5.4.3.4 South Korea
5.4.3.5 Rest of Asia-Pacific
5.4.4 Latin America
5.4.4.1 Brazil
5.4.4.2 Mexico
5.4.4.3 Rest of Latin America
5.4.5 Middle East and Africa
5.4.5.1 Saudi Arabia
5.4.5.2 United Arab Emirates
5.4.5.3 Turkey
5.4.5.4 South Africa
5.4.5.5 Rest of Middle East and Africa
6 COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
6.1 Vendor Market Share
6.2 Company Profiles
6.2.1 Northrop Grumman Corporation
6.2.2 The Boeing Company
6.2.3 Lockheed Martin Corporation
6.2.4 RTX Corporation
6.2.5 Elbit Systems Ltd
6.2.6 AeroVironment Inc.
6.2.7 Saab AB
6.2.8 BAE Systems PLC
6.2.9 Airbus SE
6.2.10 Textron Inc.
6.2.11 IAI
7 MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS
- Not Sure / Need Reassuring
- Confirm Content
-
Content is provided by our partners and every effort is made to make Market Report details as clear as possible. If you are not sure the exact content you require is included in this study you can Contact us to double check. To do this you can:
Use the ‘? ASK A QUESTION’ below the license / prices and to the right of this box. This will come directly to our team who will work on dealing with your request as soon as possible.
Write to directly on support@scotts-international.com with details. Please include as much information as possible including the name of report or link so our staff will be able to work on you request.
Telephone us directly on 0048 603 394 346 and an experienced member of team will be on hand to answer.
-
- Sample Pages
-
With the vast majority of our partners we can obtain Sample Pages to support your decision. This is something we can arrange without revealing your personal details.
It is important to note that we will not be able to provide you the exact data or statistics such as Market Size and Forecasts. Sample pages usually confirm the layout or the Categories included in Charts and Graphs, excluding specific data.
To ask for Sample Pages by contact us through ‘? ASK A QUESTION’, support@scotts-international.com, or by telephoning 0048 603 394 346.
-
- Check for Alternatives
-
Whilst we try to make our online platform as easy to use as possible there is always the possibility that a better alternative has not been found in your search.
To avoid this possibility Contact us through ‘? ASK A QUESTION’, support@scotts-international.com, or by telephoning 0048 603 394 346 and a Senior Team Member can review your requirements and send a list of possibilities with opinions and recommendations.
-
- Confirm Content
- Prices / Formats / Delivery
- Prices
-
All prices are set by our partners and should be exactly the same as those listed on their own websites. We work on a Revenue share basis ensuring that you never pay more than what is offered elsewhere.
Should you find the price cheaper on another platform we recommend you to Contact us as we should be able to match this price. You can Contact us though through ‘? ASK A QUESTION’, support@scotts-international.com, or by telephoning 0048 603 394 346.
-
- Discounts
-
As we work in close partnership with our Partners from time to time we can secure discounts and assist with negotiations, this is part of our personalised service to you.
Discounts can sometimes be arranged for speedily placed orders; multiple report purchases or Higher License purchases.
To check if a Discount is possible please Contact our experienced team through ‘? ASK A QUESTION’, support@scotts-international.com, or by telephoning 0048 603 394 346.
-
- Available Currencies
-
Most Market Reports on our platform are listed in USD or EURO based on the wishes of our Partners. To avoid currency fluctuations and potential price differentiations we do not offer the possibility to change the currency online.
Should you wish to pay in a different currency to that advertised online we do accept payments in USD, EURO, GBP and PLN. The price will be calculated based on the relevant exchange rate taken from our National Bank.
To pay in a different above currency to that advertised online please Contact our team and a quotation will be sent within a couple of hours with payment details.
-
- Licenses
-
License options vary from Partner to Partner as is usually based on the number of Users that will benefitting from the report. It is very important that License ordered is not breached as this could have potential negative consequences for you individually or your employer.
If you have questions or need confirmation about the specific license we recommend you to Contact us and a detailed explanation will be provided.
-
- Global Site License
-
The Global Site License is the most comprehensive license available. By selecting this license, the Market Report can be shared with other ‘Allowed Users’ and any other member of staff from the same organisation regardless of geographic location.
It is important to note that this may exclude Parent Companies or Subsidiaries.
If you have questions or need confirmation about the specific license we recommend you to Contact us and a detailed explanation will be provided.
-
- Formats
-
The most common format is PDF, however in certain circumstances data may be present in Excel format or Online, especially in the case of Database or Directories. In addition, for certain higher license options a CD may also be provided.
If you have questions or need clarification about the specific formats we recommend you to Contact us and a detailed explanation will be provided.
-
- Delivery
-
Delivery is fulfilled by our partners directly. Once an order has been placed we inform the partner by sharing the delivery email details given in the order process.
Delivery is usually made within 24 hours of an order being placed, however it may take longer should your order be placed prior to the weekend or if otherwise specified on the Market Report details page. Additionally, if details have been not fully completed in the Order process a delay in delivery is possible.
If a delay in delivery is expected you will be informed about it immediately.
-
- Shipping Charges
-
As most Market Reports are delivered in PDF format we almost never have to add additional Shipping Charges. If, however you are ordering a Higher License service or a specific delivery format (e.g. CD version) charges may apply.
If you are concerned about additional Shipping Charges we recommend you to Contact us to double check.
-
- Prices
- Ordering
- By Credit Card
-
We work in Partnership with PayU to ensure payments are made securely in a fast and effortless way. PayU is the e-payments division of Naspers.
Naspers operates in over 133 International Markets and ranks 3rd Globally in terms of the number of e-commerce customers served.
For more information on PayU please visit: https://www.payu.pl/en/about-us
-
- By Money Transfer
-
If you require an invoice prior to payment, this is possible. To ensure a speedy delivery of the Market Report we require all relevant company details and you agree to maximum payment terms of 30 days from receipt of order.
With our regular clients deliver of the Market Report can be made prior to receiving payment, however in some circumstances we may ask for payment to be received before arranging for the Market Report to be delivered.
-
- By Credit Card
- Security
- Website security
-
We have specifically partnered with leading International companies to protect your privacy by using different technologies and processes to ensure security.
Everything submitted to Scotts International is encrypted via SSL (Secure Socket Layer) and all personal information provided to Scotts International is stored on computer systems with limited access in controlled environments.
-
- Credit Card Security
-
We partner with PayU (https://www.payu.pl/en/about-us) to ensure all credit card payments are made securely in a fast and effortless way.
PayU offers 250+ various payment channels and eWallet services across 4 continents allowing buyers to pay electronically, whether on a computer or a mobile device.
-
- Website security