Autopilot System Market Report 2026

The autopilot system market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $5.94 billion in 2025 to $6.37 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.2%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growing commercial aviation traffic increasing demand for reliable autopilot systems, expansion of marine navigation technologies requiring automated steering solutions, early adoption of gps-based guidance improving system accuracy and uptake, rising integration of avionics modernization programs across aircraft fleets, increased utilization of uavs driving demand for compact autonomous control systems.

The autopilot system market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $8.38 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.1%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to advancements in AI-enabled autonomous navigation enhancing next-generation autopilot capabilities, rising demand for fully automated flight management in commercial and cargo aviation, expansion of unmanned aerial vehicle applications requiring sophisticated autopilot modules, growing focus on fuel efficiency and optimized routing supported by smart autopilot functions, increased investment in marine and aviation safety systems boosting adoption of advanced autopilot technologies. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing integration of multi-axis stabilization for smoother autonomous control, growing demand for redundant sensor architectures to enhance safety and reliability, rising adoption of compact autopilot systems for small uavs and unmanned vessels, expansion of modular autopilot components for easier upgrades and servicing, advancements in real-time flight director algorithms enhancing situational awareness.

An increase in the number of air passengers is expected to propel the growth of the autopilot system market going forward. An air passenger is an individual who travels by plane or other forms of air transportation. A rise in air passenger traffic can create a greater need for automated assistance in air traffic control. The role of automation in air traffic management is becoming increasingly important as the number of flights handled annually continues to grow at a rapid pace. Furthermore, both business and leisure travel have increased following the extended lockdown period during the COVID-19 pandemic. For instance, in December 2024, according to Eurostat, a Luxembourg-based government agency, air travel in the EU reached a total of 973 million passengers in 2023, reflecting a 19.3% rise from the 816 million recorded in 2022. Therefore, the increase in the number of air passengers is driving the growth of the autopilot system market.

Strategic partnerships and collaborations take center stage as major players in the autopilot system market seek heightened profitability. These alliances, aimed at specific business objectives, leverage advanced autopilot systems to introduce groundbreaking solutions. An illustrative instance is the November 2023 collaboration between Thales Group and StandardAero, culminating in Stable Light, a cutting-edge 4-axis autopilot system tailored for AS350 and H125 helicopters. Securing a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) from the US, this system bolsters safety and diminishes risks during critical flight phases and adverse conditions. Engineered to enhance the flight control experience, Stable Light possesses multifaceted operational capabilities, promising efficiency, reliability, and heightened safety standards within the aviation industry.

In July 2023, Safran SA, a French aerospace and defense corporation, acquired the high-technology actuation and flight control operations from Collins Aerospace. This acquisition allows Safran to gain a comprehensive range of capabilities and products, positioning the company as a leading integrated player in the industry with a complete portfolio of actuation and flight control solutions. Collins Aerospace is a US-based technology firm specializing in aerospace and defense products.

Major companies operating in the autopilot system market are Rockwell Collins Inc., BAE Systems plc, Cloud Cap Technology Inc., Furuno Electric Co. Ltd., Garmin International Inc., Genesys Aerosystems Group Inc., Honeywell International Inc., Micropilot Inc., Raymarine Ltd., Moog Inc., Safran SA, Parker Meggitt plc, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Century Flight Systems Inc., Cobham Limited, TMQ International Pty. Ltd., Thales Group, Avidyne Corporation, Dynon Avionics, SEA MACHINES Robotics Inc., West Marine, Kobelt Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Comnav Marine Ltd., Brunswick Corporation, Octopus Autopilot Drives systems, Trimble Navigation Limited, Raytheon Anschütz GmbH, The Mercedes-Benz Group AG.

North America was the largest region in the autopilot system market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the global autopilot system market during the forecast period. The regions covered in the autopilot system market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs are influencing the autopilot system market by raising the cost of imported sensors, circuit boards, gyros, and navigation components, leading to longer production cycles and increased unit prices. The most affected segments include avionics systems, flight control systems, and marine autopilot platforms across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific manufacturing hubs. Despite these challenges, tariffs have encouraged local sourcing, domestic avionics production, and component innovation, generating positive momentum for regional suppliers.

The autopilot system market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides autopilot system market statistics, including autopilot system industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an autopilot system market share, detailed autopilot system market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the autopilot system industry. This autopilot system market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

An autopilot system serves as the electrical, mechanical, or hydraulic setup enabling autonomous operations for aerial, marine, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Comprising a computer system, actuator, global positioning service (GPS), flight director control, and avionics systems, it aims to autonomously manage vehicle functions. Its primary goal is to reduce pilot workload during extended journeys while enhancing overall vehicle performance.

Distinct types of autopilot systems exist, including attitude and heading reference systems, flight control systems, flight director systems, and avionics systems. The attitude and heading reference system relies on sensors across three axes, providing crucial aircraft attitude details such as roll, pitch, and yaw. These systems are further categorized based on the type of aircraft include rotary-wing and fixed-wing and find applications in diverse platforms such as airborne, sea, subsea, and land-based operations. They serve various sectors including military, defense, and commercial industries.

The countries covered in the autopilot system market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The autopilot system market consists of sales of altitude and directional gyros, turn coordinators, and altitude control. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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