Unmanned Cargo Aircraft - Market and Technology Forecast to 2031

The unmanned cargo aircraft market includes autonomous drones (quadcopters), autonomous fixed wing aircraft, and autonomous helicopters that are used to carry cargo payloads.

Air cargo services have been around for over a century. Initially it was used to transport mail and light packages, but it had quickly evolved into the transportation of heavy civilian and military cargo across continents, once large airliners started operating.

The development of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technologies has expanded their range of applications offering civilian and military users the ability to operate them in cargo transportation roles. This expansion has led to a whole new market of unmanned aerial logistics vehicles called the Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market, which led to the formation of new companies, predominantly start-ups.

The report “Unmanned Cargo Aircraft - Market and Technology Forecast to 2031” examines, analyses, and predicts the evolution of unmanned cargo aircraft technologies, markets, and outlays (expenditures) over the next nine years - 2023-2031 in the aerospace industry. It also examines unmanned cargo aircraft markets geographically, focusing on the top 95% of global markets, in the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa.

Throughout the report we show how unmanned cargo aircraft are used today to add real value, as well as how will they be used in the near and distant future. To provide the most thorough and realistic forecast, this report provides a twin-scenario analysis.

Covered in this report

Overview: Snapshot of the unmanned cargo aircraft market during 2023-2031, including highlights of the demand drivers, trends, and challenges. It also provides a snapshot of the spending with respect to regions as well as segments and sheds light on the emergence of new technologies.
Market Dynamics: Insights into the technological developments in the unmanned cargo aircraft market and a detailed analysis of the changing preferences of governments around the world. It also analyses changing industry structure trends and the challenges faced by the industry participants.
Segment Analysis: Insights into the various application, propulsion, and end user markets from a segmental perspective and a detailed analysis of factors influencing the market for each segment.
Regional Review: Insights into use case patterns and commercialisation of the technology for top countries within a region.
Regional Analysis: Insights into the application market from a regional perspective and a detailed analysis of factors influencing the market for each region.
Impact Analysis: Analysis on how certain events will impact the unmanned cargo aircraft market. This will give you an indication on which factors are important for the forecast.
Key Program Analysis: Details of the top programs in each segment expected to be executed during the forecast period.
Competitive landscape Analysis: Analysis of competitive landscape of this industry. It provides an overview of key companies, together with insights such as key alliances, strategic initiatives, and a brief financial analysis.

Segmentation

We have segmented the market by Region, Application, Propulsion, and End User.

Region

Americas
Europe
Asia
Middle East & Africa

Applications

E-Commerce, Parcel, & Postal Delivery
Military & Homeland Security (HLS)
Healthcare & Humanitarian
Industrial & Maritime

Propulsion

Fuel
Hybrid
Electric

End Users

Commercial
Military & Civil Services

Reasons to buy

Determine prospective investment areas based on a detailed trend analysis of the global unmanned cargo aircraft industry over the next eight years.
Gain in-depth understanding about the underlying factors driving demand for different application segments in the top spending countries across the world and identify the opportunities offered by each of them.
Strengthen your understanding of the market in terms of demand drivers, industry trends, and the latest technological developments, among others.
Identify the major channels that are driving the global unmanned cargo aircraft business, providing a clear picture about future opportunities that can be tapped, resulting in revenue expansion.
Channelise resources by focusing on the ongoing programs that are being undertaken by the ministries of different countries within the unmanned cargo aircraft market.
Make correct business decisions based on thorough analysis of the total competitive landscape of the sector with detailed profiles of the top platform providers around the world which include information about their products, alliances, recent contract wins and financial analysis wherever available.

1 Introduction

1.1 Scope
1.2 Definitions
1.2.1 Application Sub Segments
1.3 Methodology
1.4 Who will benefit from this study?

2 Executive Summary

2.1 Trends and Insights
2.2 Main Findings
2.3 Key Conclusions
2.4 Important Tables and Figures

3 Technologies and Developments

3.1 Technology overview
3.2 Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Deep Learning (DL)
3.3 Edge Computing to Cloud Computing and 5G
3.4 UAV Design, Composite Materials, and 3D Printing
3.5 Smart Infrastructure and Battery Technology

4 Market Overview

4.1 Introduction
4.2 Market Structure
4.3 Market Dynamics

5 Market Analysis and Forecast Factors

5.1 Market Segmentation
5.2 Drivers
5.2.1 Cost effectiveness and time savings
5.2.2 Urgent need for environmental sustainability
5.2.3 Safety and access to remote areas
5.2.4 Increasing demand for logistics
5.3 Trends
5.3.1 Cross-Industry partnerships and collaborations
5.3.2 Investment and Funding
5.4 Opportunities
5.4.1 Urban Air Mobility (UAM)
5.4.2 Revenue growth for retailers
5.5 Challenges
5.5.1 Evolution of battery technology
5.5.2 Certification and Regulatory Framework
5.5.3 Public acceptance and Cybersecurity

6 Country Analysis

6.1 Australia
6.2 China
6.3 India
6.4 Japan
6.5 Singapore
6.6 African Countries
6.7 United Arab Emirates (UAE)
6.8 Israel
6.9 United Kingdom (UK)
6.10 Germany
6.11 Ukraine
6.12 United States of America (US)

7 Global and Regional Market Forecast to 2031

7.1 Introduction
7.2 Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market by Region overview
7.3 Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market Regions by Application
7.3.1 Americas Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market by Application
7.3.2 Europe Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market by Application
7.3.3 Asia Pacific Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market by Application
7.3.4 Middle East & Africa Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market by Application
7.4 Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market Regions by Propulsion
7.4.1 Americas Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market by Propulsion
7.4.2 Europe Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market by Propulsion
7.4.3 Asia Pacific Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market by Propulsion
7.4.4 Middle East & Africa Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market by Propulsion
7.5 Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market Regions by End User
7.5.1 Americas Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market by End User
7.5.2 Europe Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market by End User
7.5.3 Asia Pacific Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market by End User
7.5.4 Middle East & Africa Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market by End User
7.6 Opportunity Analysis

8 Application Market Forecast to 2031

8.1 Introduction
8.2 Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market by Application overview
8.3 Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Application Market by Region
8.3.1 E-Commerce, Parcel, & Postal Delivery Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market by Region
8.3.2 Military & Homeland Security Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market by Region
8.3.3 Healthcare & Humanitarian Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market by Region
8.3.4 Industrial & Maritime Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market by Region
8.4 Opportunity Analysis

9 Propulsion Market Forecast to 2031

9.1 Introduction
9.2 Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market by Propulsion overview
9.3 Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Propulsion Market by Region
9.3.1 Fuel Propulsion Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market by Region
9.3.2 Hybrid Propulsion Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market by Region
9.3.3 Electric Propulsion Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market by Region
9.4 Opportunity Analysis

10 End User Market Forecast to 2031

10.1 Introduction
10.2 Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market by End User overview
10.3 Unmanned Cargo Aircraft End User Market by Region
10.3.1 Commercial Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market by Region
10.3.2 Military & Civil Services Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market by Region
10.4 Opportunity Analysis

11 Impact Analysis

11.1 Introduction
11.2 Forecast factors and Market Impact
11.2.1 Scenario 1
11.2.2 Scenario 2
11.2.3 Scenario 1 VS Scenario 2

12 Leading Companies

12.1 Amazon.com, Inc.
12.1.1 Introduction
12.1.2 Unmanned Cargo Aircraft - Products and Services
12.1.3 Recent Developments and Contracts
12.1.4 SWOT Analysis
12.2 Bell Textron Inc.
12.2.1 Introduction
12.2.2 Unmanned Cargo Aircraft - Products and Services
12.2.3 Recent Developments and Contracts
12.2.4 SWOT Analysis
12.3 DRONAMICS
12.3.1 Introduction
12.3.2 Unmanned Cargo Aircraft - Products and Services
12.3.3 Recent Developments and Contracts
12.3.4 SWOT Analysis
12.4 Elroy Air
12.4.1 Introduction
12.4.2 Unmanned Cargo Aircraft - Products and Services
12.4.3 Recent Developments and Contracts
12.4.4 SWOT Analysis
12.5 Matternet
12.5.1 Introduction
12.5.2 Unmanned Cargo Aircraft - Products and Services
12.5.3 Recent Developments and Contracts
12.5.4 SWOT Analysis
12.6 Pipistrel d.o.o
12.6.1 Introduction
12.6.2 Unmanned Cargo Aircraft - Products and Services
12.6.3 Recent Developments and Contracts
12.6.4 SWOT Analysis
12.7 Wing Aviation LLC.
12.7.1 Introduction
12.7.2 Unmanned Cargo Aircraft - Products and Services
12.7.3 Recent Developments and Contracts
12.7.4 SWOT Analysis
12.8 Zipline
12.8.1 Introduction
12.8.2 Unmanned Cargo Aircraft - Products and Services
12.8.3 Recent Developments and Contracts
12.8.4 SWOT Analysis
12.9 The Boeing Company
12.9.1 Introduction
12.9.2 Unmanned Cargo Aircraft - Products and Services
12.9.3 Recent Developments and Contracts
12.10 Natilus
12.10.1 Introduction
12.10.2 Unmanned Cargo Aircraft - Products and Services
12.10.3 Recent Developments and Contracts
12.11 Volansi, Inc.
12.11.1 Introduction
12.11.2 Unmanned Cargo Aircraft - Products and Services
12.11.3 Recent Developments and Contracts
12.12 Volocopter GmbH
12.12.1 Introduction
12.12.2 Unmanned Cargo Aircraft - Products and Services
12.12.3 Recent Developments and Contracts

13 Results and Conclusions

14 About the Publisher

14.1 General
14.2 Contact the Publisher
14.3 Disclaimer
14.4 License

Appendix A: Companies Mentioned
Appendix B: Abbreviations

List of Figures

Figure 1: Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market Share, By Region (2023)
Figure 2: Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market Size, 2023-2031 (US$ bn), by Region
Figure 3: Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market CAGR, 2023-2031 (%), by Region
Figure 4: Global, Scenario 1 VS Scenario 2, Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market Forecast to 2031 [US$ bn]
Figure 5: Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market Size, 2023-2031 (US$ bn), by Application
Figure 6: Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market CAGR, 2023-2031 (%), by Application
Figure 7: Machine Learning (ML) vs Deep Learning (DL)
Figure 8: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in UAVs
Figure 9: Edge Computing Modules
Figure 10: Cloud Computing Modules
Figure 11: DeepBrain Architecture
Figure 12: Natilus 130T Cargo Aircraft
Figure 13: H3 Dynamics' DBX-G7 Drone-In-A-Box System
Figure 14: Urban Rooftop Vertiport for UAVs
Figure 15: StoreDot Ultra Fast Charger (UFC)
Figure 16: Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Design Profiles
Figure 17: Timeline for scaling up of the market
Figure 18: Market Structure
Figure 19: Supply Chain
Figure 20: Market Segmentation and Sub Segmentation Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market
Figure 21: US - Trend of Fuel Prices
Figure 22: Global fuel costs per gallon
Figure 23: US - Transportation Carbon Dioxide Emissions
Figure 24: Zipline Cargo Drone dropping supplies
Figure 25: MR-20 cargo military drone high altitude trials in Ladakh, India
Figure 26: Worldwide revenue of cargo airlines (2004-2022)
Figure 27: Visualisation of the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) concept
Figure 28: Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market Share, By Region (2023)
Figure 29: Americas Market Forecast to 2031 by Application [US$ bn]
Figure 30: Americas Market Forecast to 2031 by Application [%]
Figure 31: Europe Market Forecast to 2031 by Application [US$ bn]
Figure 32: Europe Market Forecast to 2031 by Application [%]
Figure 33: Asia Pacific Market Forecast to 2031 by Application [US$ bn]
Figure 34: Asia Pacific Market Forecast to 2031 by Application [%]
Figure 35: Middle East & Africa Market Forecast to 2031 by Application [US$ bn]
Figure 36: Middle East & Africa Market Forecast to 2031 by Application [%]
Figure 37: Americas Market Forecast to 2031 by Propulsion [US$ bn]
Figure 38: Americas Market Forecast to 2031 by Propulsion [%]
Figure 39: Europe Market Forecast to 2031 by Propulsion [US$ bn]
Figure 40: Europe Market Forecast to 2031 by Propulsion [%]
Figure 41: Asia Pacific Market Forecast to 2031 by Propulsion [US$ bn]
Figure 42: Asia Pacific Market Forecast to 2031 by Propulsion [%]
Figure 43: Middle East & Africa Market Forecast to 2031 by Propulsion [US$ bn]
Figure 44: Middle East & Africa Market Forecast to 2031 by Propulsion [%]
Figure 45: Americas Market Forecast to 2031 by End User [US$ bn]
Figure 46: Americas Market Forecast to 2031 by End User [%]
Figure 47: Europe Market Forecast to 2031 by End User [US$ bn]
Figure 48: Europe Market Forecast to 2031 by End User [%]
Figure 49: Asia Pacific Market Forecast to 2031 by End User [US$ bn]
Figure 50: Asia Pacific Market Forecast to 2031 by End User [%]
Figure 51: Middle East & Africa Market Forecast to 2031 by End User [US$ bn]
Figure 52: Middle East & Africa Market Forecast to 2031 by End User [%]
Figure 53: Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market Size, 2023-2031 (US$ bn), by Region
Figure 54: Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market CAGR, 2023-2031 (%), by Region
Figure 55: Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market Size, 2023-2031 (US$ bn), by Application
Figure 56: Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market CAGR, 2023-2031 (%), by Application
Figure 57: Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market Size, 2023-2031 (US$ bn), by Propulsion
Figure 58: Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market CAGR, 2023-2031 (%), by Propulsion
Figure 59: Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market Size, 2023-2031 (US$ bn), by End User
Figure 60: Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market CAGR, 2023-2031 (%), by End User
Figure 61: Scenario 1, Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market Forecast to 2031 [US$ bn]
Figure 62: Scenario 1, Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market Forecast to 2031 [%]
Figure 63: Scenario 2, Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market Forecast to 2031 [US$ bn]
Figure 64: Scenario 2, Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market Forecast to 2031 [%]
Figure 65: Americas, Scenario 1 VS Scenario 2, Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market Forecast to 2031 [US$ bn]
Figure 66: Europe, Scenario 1 VS Scenario 2, Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market Forecast to 2031 [US$ bn]
Figure 67: Asia Pacific, Scenario 1 VS Scenario 2, Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market Forecast to 2031 [US$ bn]
Figure 68: Middle East & Africa, Scenario 1 VS Scenario 2, Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market Forecast to 2031 [US$ bn]
Figure 69: Global, Scenario 1 VS Scenario 2, Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market Forecast to 2031 [US$ bn]

List of Tables

Table 1: Partnerships between Logistics companies and UAV manufacturers
Table 2: Global Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market Forecast to 2031 by Region [US$ billion]
Table 3: Scenario 2, Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market Forecast to 2031 [US$ bn]
Table 1: Partnerships between Logistics companies and UAV manufacturers
Table 2: Global Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market Forecast to 2031 by Region [US$ billion]
Table 3: Americas Market Forecast to 2031 by Application [US$ bn]
Table 3: Europe Market Forecast to 2031 by Application [US$ bn]
Table 3: Asia Pacific Market Forecast to 2031 by Application [US$ bn]
Table 3: Middle East & Africa Market Forecast to 2031 by Application [US$ bn]
Table 3: Americas Market Forecast to 2031 by Propulsion [US$ bn]
Table 3: Europe Market Forecast to 2031 by Propulsion [US$ bn]
Table 3: Asia Pacific Market Forecast to 2031 by Propulsion [US$ bn]
Table 3: Middle East & Africa Market Forecast to 2031 by Propulsion [US$ bn]
Table 3: Americas Market Forecast to 2031 by End User [US$ bn]
Table 3: Europe Market Forecast to 2031 by End User [US$ bn]
Table 3: Asia Pacific Market Forecast to 2031 by End User [US$ bn]
Table 3: Middle East & Africa Market Forecast to 2031 by End User [US$ bn]
Table 2: Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Application Market Forecast to 2031 by Region [US$ billion]
Table 2: E-Commerce, Parcel, & Postal Delivery Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market Forecast to 2031 by Region [US$ billion]
Table 2: Military & Homeland Security Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market Forecast to 2031 by Region [US$ billion]
Table 2: Healthcare & Humanitarian Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market Forecast to 2031 by Region [US$ billion]
Table 2: Industrial & Maritime Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market Forecast to 2031 by Region [US$ billion]
Table 2: Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Propulsion Market Forecast to 2031 by Region [US$ billion]
Table 2: Fuel Propulsion Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market Forecast to 2031 by Region [US$ billion]
Table 2: Hybrid Propulsion Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market Forecast to 2031 by Region [US$ billion]
Table 2: Electric Propulsion Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market Forecast to 2031 by Region [US$ billion]
Table 2: Unmanned Cargo Aircraft End User Market Forecast to 2031 by Region [US$ billion]
Table 2: Commercial Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market Forecast to 2031 by Region [US$ billion]
Table 2: Military & Civil Services Unmamnned Cargo Aircraft Market Forecast to 2031 by Region [US$ billion]
Table 3: Scenario 1, Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market Forecast to 2031 [US$ bn]
Table 3: Scenario 2, Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market Forecast to 2031 [US$ bn]
Table 4: Amazon.com, Inc. Company SWOT Analysis
Table 5: Bell Textron Inc. Company SWOT Analysis
Table 6: DRONAMICS Company SWOT Analysis
Table 7: Elroy Air Company SWOT Analysis
Table 8: Matternet Company SWOT Analysis
Table 9: Pipistrel p.o.o Company SWOT Analysis
Table 10: Wing Aviation LLC. Company SWOT Analysis
Table 11: Zipline Company SWOT Analysis

Companies Mentioned

Amazon.com, Inc.
Bell Textron Inc.
DRONAMICS
Elroy Air
Matternet
Pipistrel d.o.o
Wing Aviation LLC.
Zipline
The Boeing Company
Natilus
Volansi, Inc.
Volocopter GmbH
Wingcopter
Swiggy
Meituan
Japan Airlines (JAL)
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Throttle Aerospace Systems (TAS)
Dhaksha Unmanned Systems (DUMS)
ANRA Technologies
Honeywell
Blue Dart
DHL
FedEx
UPS
Spice Jet
Air Canada
Drone Delivery Canada
ANA Holdings
Skyports Ltd.
SkyGo
Gadfin
Malloy Aeronautics
Shield AI
Skygrid
Siemens
Microsofft
H3 Dynamics
Skycharge
StoreDot
Swoop Aero
JD.com
SF Express

License	Format	Properties	Price
SINGLE USER LICENSE PDF	The product is a PDF.	This is a single user license, allowing one user access to the product.	€3995EUR$4,380USD£3,452GBP
1 - 5 USER LICENSE PDF	The product is a PDF.	This is a 1-5 user license, allowing up to five users have access to the product.	€4995EUR$5,476USD£4,316GBP
SITE LICENSE PDF	The product is a PDF.	This is a site license, allowing all users within a given geographical location of your organization access to the product.	€6995EUR$7,669USD£6,044GBP
ENTERPRISE LICENSE PDF	The product is a PDF.	This is an enterprise license, allowing all employees within your organization access to the product.	€7995EUR$8,766USD£6,908GBP

Covered in this report

Segmentation

Region

Applications

Propulsion

End Users

Reasons to buy

Table of Contents

Companies Mentioned

Related Topics

Related Reports

Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market by Type, End User - Global Forecast 2025-2030

Cargo Aircraft Charter Service Global Market Report 2024

Cargo Aircraft Charter Service Market Report: Trends, Forecast and Competitive Analysis to 2030

Introduction to UAV Systems. Edition No. 5. Aerospace Series

Cargo Drones Market by Solution (Avionics, Route Planning & Optimization, Ground Control Stations), Payload (10-49 Kg, 50-149Kg, 150-249 Kg, 250-499 Kg, 500-999 Kg, >1,000 Kg), Industry, Range, Type, and Region - Global Forecast to 2030