Global Target Drones Market – Industry Trends and Forecast to 2030

Global Target Drones Market, By Type (Rotary and Fixed), Use (Aerial Target, Ground Target and Marine Target), Target Type (Free Flying Target, Full Scale Target, Subscale Target, Sporting Target, and Towing Target), Engine Type (Jet Engine and IC Engine), Speed (Less than 100 M/S and More than 100 M/S), Mode of Operation (Remotely Piloted, Autonomous, and Optionally Piloted), Payload Capacity (Less than 20 Kgs, 20 - 50 Kgs, and More than 50 Kgs), Application (Combat Training, Target and Decoy, Target Identification, Reconnaissance, and Target Acquisition), End User (Defense, Homeland Security, and Commercial) - Industry Trends and Forecast to 2030.

Target Drones Market Analysis and Size

The increasing defense budgets are acting as a major driver for market growth. In addition, rising advancements in drone technology and increasing spending on product innovation are expected to propel market growth. The major restraints that may negatively impact the market are budget constraints and regulation compliances. The heavy investments in research and development are expected to provide opportunities for market growth. However, the vulnerability of target drone systems to cyberattacks is expected to challenge market growth.

Data Bridge Market Research analyses that the global target drones market is expected to reach the value of USD 8,924.47 million by 2030, at a CAGR of 5.3% during the forecast period.

Market Definition

A target drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed and utilized for various military purposes, primarily as a target in training exercises for anti-aircraft systems, guided missiles, or other weapon systems. These drones are intended to simulate the behavior and characteristics of actual enemy aircraft, missiles, or other threats to provide realistic training scenarios for military personnel.

Target drones are equipped with various sensors, systems, and technologies to mimic the radar cross-section, infrared signatures, and flight patterns of real-world threats. They can be remotely controlled or operate autonomously, depending on the specific requirements of the training exercise. Military forces can test and improve their weapon systems, train their operators, and enhance their readiness for potential combat situations without the need to risk human pilots or actual aircraft by using target drones.

Global Target Drones Market Dynamics

This section deals with understanding the market drivers, advantages, opportunities, restraints and challenges. All of this is discussed in detail as below:

Drivers

• Rising Expenditures on Defense by Different Countries

Several countries, such as India, the U.S., and China along with European countries as well, are strategically increasing their investments in defense budgets. These nations are allocating substantial financial resources to strengthen their defense capabilities and safeguard their national security interests. India is progressively enhancing its defense expenditure to modernize its armed forces and strengthen its defense infrastructure. The U.S., as a global military powerhouse, continues to allocate significant funds to maintain its technological edge, support advanced research and development, and ensure readiness across its armed forces. Furthermore, China is assertively expanding its defense budget to advance its military capabilities, invest in cutting-edge technologies, and secure its regional interests. There is an upsurge in spending on defense budgets across the globe.

• Advancements in Drone Technology

Advancements in drone technology are rapidly changing, advancing in an innovative era of capabilities and possibilities. Scientific and technological advancements across various domains are converging to redefine the potential of target drones and their applications. One of the significant areas is sensing technology, where the integration of RADAR (Radio Detection and Ranging) and LiDaR (Light Detection and Ranging) systems empowers drones with enhanced capacities in terms of performance. This enables them to navigate and keep reconnaissance into complex areas, avoid obstacles with precision, and generate highly accurate maps. Simultaneously, wireless and cellular communications are extending the reach of drones, enabling real-time data transmission and remote piloting over vast distances. These advancements have expanded the horizon for industries such as agriculture, infrastructure inspection, and emergency response, enabling them to operate with unprecedented efficiency and responsiveness.

Restraints/Challenges

• Dependency on Skilled Personnel to Operate

The effective operation and utilization of target drones are dependent on the expertise of skilled personnel. Competent operators are essential for piloting target drones accurately during training exercises, ensuring realistic simulations of various threat scenarios. In addition, skilled technicians play a crucial role in maintaining, repairing, and troubleshooting these advanced systems, contributing to their consistent performance and extending their operational lifespan. The dependence on skilled personnel highlights the significance of training programs and expertise development to maximize the capabilities and benefits of target drone technology in defense and training contexts.

• Concerns Related to Power Issues Hinder the Performance of Drones

Target drones rely on a range of power sources to fuel their operations, each with distinct limitations. Battery-powered drones offer the convenience of simplicity and ease of use, but their limited energy capacity often restricts flight durations, making them suitable for shorter missions. Internal combustion engines, commonly used in gas-powered drones, provide greater endurance and rapid refueling options. However, they tend to generate higher noise levels and emissions. Hydrogen fuel cells are dependent on hydrogen infrastructure and storage which cause logistical challenges.

Opportunities

• Rising Trend of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and Data-Driven Technology

The emerging trend of AI and data-driven technology is creating an opportunity for the market. Integration of AI allows target drones to simulate more sophisticated and adaptable threat behaviors, enhancing the realism of training scenarios. In addition, data-driven technology enables the collection and analysis of vast amounts of training data, offering valuable insights into trainee performance and system behavior. This creates avenues for continuous improvement and customization of training programs.

• Internal Collaboration and Partnerships

Major market players associated with the market are making various developments and strategic decisions to grow in their market to cope up with the growing market strategies of target drone manufacturers. From new investments to collaborations, the top players of the market are evolving their business practices and further expanding their business via partnerships and promotion strategies worldwide.

 Recent Developments

• In August 2023, The Department of Defence, Australia, chose Lockheed Martin Corporation as its strategic partner to oversee AIR6500 Phase 1 (AIR6500-1). The Australian Defence Force (ADF) will receive the Joint Air Battle Management System (JABMS) from AIR6500-1, which will serve as the innovative architecture at the heart of the ADF's upcoming Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) capability. This will help the company to gain more order proposals from the clients.
• In July 2023, Airbus Foundation joined forces with the Connected Conservation Foundation (CCF) to protect wildlife and preserve ecosystems with the help of Airbus Defence and Space satellite imagery.
• In July 2023, The Government of Canada has awarded Airbus Defence and Space with a contract for four newly-built Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft (MRTT) and for the conversion of five used A330-200s in a quest to strengthen Canada’s continental defense capabilities.
• In May 2023, a new Boeing [NYSE: BA] Distribution Services site opened at Panattoni Park Rzeszów Airport III. The facility more than doubles the space for storing aircraft parts compared to the prior location and expands Boeing’s presence in Poland’s Aviation Valley, a unique industrial hub.
•  In February 2023, The U.S. Marine Corps awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) the initial production and operations contract for the Next Generation Handheld Targeting System (NGHTS). NGHTS is a compact targeting system that provides advanced precision targeting and is capable of operation in GPS-denied environments.

Global Target Drones Market Scope

The global target drones market is segmented into nine notable segments based on type, use, target type, engine type, speed, mode of operation, payload capacity, application, and end user. The growth amongst these segments will help you analyze major growth segments in the industries and provide the users with a valuable market overview and market insights to help them make strategic decisions for identifying core market applications.

Type

• Rotary
• Fixed

On the basis of type, the global target drones market is segmented into rotary and fixed.

Use

• Aerial Target
• Ground Target
• Marine Target

On the basis of use, the global target drones market is segmented into aerial target, ground target, and marine target.

Target Type      

• Free Flying Target
• Full Scale Target
• Subscale Target
• Sporting Target
• Towing Target

On the basis of target type, the global target drones market is segmented into free flying target, full scale target, subscale target, sporting target, and towing target.

Engine Type

• Jet Engine
• IC Engine

On the basis of engine type, the global target drones market is segmented into Jet engine and IC engine.

Speed

• Less than 100 M/S
• More than 100 M/S

On the basis of speed, the global target drones market is segmented into less than 100 m/s and more than 100 m/s.

Mode of Operation

• Remotely Piloted
• Autonomous
• Optionally Piloted

On the basis of mode of operation, the global target drones market is segmented into remotely piloted, autonomous, optionally piloted.

Payload Capacity

• Less than 20 Kgs
• 20 - 50 Kgs
• More than 50 Kgs

On the basis of payload capacity, the global target drones market is segmented into less than 20 kgs, 20-50 kgs, and more than 50 kgs.

Application

• Combat Training
• Target and Decoy
• Target Identification
• Reconnaissance
• Target Acquisition

On the basis of application, the global target drones market is segmented into combat training, target and decoy, target identification, reconnaissance, and target acquisition.

End User

• Defense
• Homeland Security
• Commercial

On the basis of end user, the global target drones market is segmented into defense, homeland security and commercial.

Global Target Drones Market Regional Analysis/Insights

The global target drones market is analyzed and market size insights and trends are provided by country on type, use, target type, engine type, speed, mode of operation, payload capacity, application, and end user as referenced above.

The countries covered in the global target drones market report are Germany, U.K., Italy, France, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Belgium, Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, and Rest of Europe, China, Japan, South Korea, India, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Australia & New Zealand, Taiwan, Vietnam and Rest of Asia-Pacific, U.S., Canada, and Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, U.A.E., Egypt, Israel, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Rest of Middle East and Africa, Brazil, Argentina, and Rest of South America.

North America is expected to dominate the global target drones market as in the North American countries, particularly the U.S., there is heavy investment in military training, preparedness, and defense research. Target drones are essential for maintaining the readiness of these armed forces. The U.K. is expected to dominate in the Europe region owing to increased emphasis on enhanced military training. China is expected to dominate the Asia-Pacific region due to increasing R&D and venture capitalist activities in the field of drones.

The country section of the report also provides individual market impacting factors and changes in market regulation that impact the current and future trends of the market. Data points such as down-stream and up-stream value chain analysis, technical trends and porter's five forces analysis, case studies are some of the pointers used to forecast the market scenario for individual countries. Also, the presence and availability of global brands and their challenges faced due to large or scarce competition from local and domestic brands, impact of domestic tariffs and trade routes are considered while providing forecast analysis of the country data.

Competitive Landscape and Global Target Drones Market Share Analysis

The global target drones market competitive landscape provides details by competitor. Details included are company overview, company financials, revenue generated, market potential, investment in research and development, new market initiatives, global presence, production sites and facilities, production capacities, company strengths and weaknesses, product launch, product width and breadth, application dominance. The above data points provided are only related to the companies' focus on the global target drones market.

Some of the major players operating in the global target drones market are SCR, Sistemas de Control Remoto, MSP, ANADRONE, AeroTargets International LLC., Denel Dynamics, Thales, SAAB, SAFRAN, Lockheed Martin Corporation, AIRBUS, Griffon Aerospace, Northrop Grumman, Boeing, Leonardo S.p.A., Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., among others.