Unmanned Composites Market Report 2025

The unmanned composites market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $1.68 billion in 2024 to $1.9 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to research and development funding, aerospace and defense requirements, commercial drone market growth, telecommunications and connectivity, sustainability and green technology.

The unmanned composites market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $3.31 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increased automation and autonomy, a rise in urban air mobility (UAM), space exploration and satellite development, medical and healthcare applications, and hybrid energy and renewable systems. Major trends in the forecast period include 3d printing and additive manufacturing, bio-inspired composite design, flexible and shape-memory composites, nanocomposites for enhanced properties, and customizable and modular components.

The escalating demand for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is poised to be a significant driver of growth in the unmanned composites market. Unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly referred to as drones, operate without human pilots and can either fly autonomously or be remotely controlled. The utilization of unmanned composites in drones enables improved performance, increased payload capacities, extended flight endurance, enhanced aerodynamics, and superior durability. A forecast by the Federal Aviation Administration in June 2022 predicts a surge in the number of commercial drones (used in business applications) to 828,000 and recreational drones (used for personal enjoyment) to 1.48 million by 2024. This increasing demand for unmanned aerial vehicles is a key factor propelling the growth of the unmanned composites market.

The upward trajectory of military spending is anticipated to further boost the unmanned composites market. Military spending encompasses the allocation of financial resources by governments for defense-related activities, including the enhancement of military capabilities. Increased military spending contributes to the development of advanced autonomous technologies for applications such as surveillance, reconnaissance, and combat, thereby improving operational efficiency and reducing human risk. As of April 2023, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute reported that North American military spending reached $904 billion in 2022, reflecting a 0.7% increase compared to 2021. This surge in military spending plays a pivotal role in driving the unmanned composites market.

The trend of product innovation is gaining momentum in the unmanned composites market, with major companies striving to introduce cutting-edge products to maintain their market positions. In September 2022, Xenia Srl, an Italian plastic fabrication company, unveiled the XECARB ST, a novel family of super tough carbon fiber-reinforced composites. Recognizing the demand for heightened impact resistance alongside advanced lightweight properties, XECARB ST stands out with significantly improved notched impact resistance, low-temperature flexibility, and tensile elongation at break. This innovation in the XECARB range addresses the need for lightweight solutions while maintaining superior impact strength.

Leading companies in the unmanned composites market are pursuing strategic collaboration approaches to deliver advanced nanomaterial-reinforced drones. A strategic collaboration involves a mutually beneficial partnership between organizations to achieve common goals through coordinated efforts and resource sharing. For example, in August 2023, Carborundum Universal Ltd., an India-based manufacturer and developer of abrasives and industrial ceramics, partnered with IdeaForge Technology, an Indian drone manufacturer, to create drones incorporating innovative nanomaterial-reinforced composite components. This collaboration aimed to produce drones that are lighter, stronger, and more durable by utilizing the advantages of nanomaterial composite materials, which offer enhanced mechanical strength, increased toughness, and superior electrical and thermal conductivity.

In February 2023, Creative Composites Group (CCG), a fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) manufacturer based in the United States, completed the acquisition of Enduro Composites for an undisclosed sum. This strategic acquisition is aimed at bolstering CCG's existing services and expanding its global presence. It particularly focuses on leveraging Enduro Composites' strengths, including its field service capabilities that encompass installation, maintenance, and aftermarket support. Enduro Composites, also based in the United States, specializes in manufacturing fiberglass-reinforced polymer composites.

Major companies operating in the unmanned composites market include Mitsubishi Rayon, The Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, NVIDIA, Evonic Industries AG, Toray Industries Inc., Solvay S.A., Dupont Inc., Owens Corning, Formosa Plastics Corporation, Teijin Limited, Elbit Systems, Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, Leonardo DRS, Aerojet Rocketdyne, Hexcel Corporation, Materion Corporation, SGL Carbon SE, Stratasys Ltd., Gurit Holding AG, AeroVironment, ZOLTEK Corp., Unitech Aerospace, Cytec Engineered Materials Inc., Quantum Composites Inc., DowAksa Advanced Composites Holdings B.V., Tencate Advanced Composites, Renegade Materials Corporation.

North America was the largest region in the unmanned composites market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the unmanned composites market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the unmanned composites market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada.

Unmanned composites refer to fibrous materials integrated into a resin matrix, commonly utilized in the construction of unmanned aircraft or drones. These composite materials are favored in unmanned aerial vehicles due to their lightweight yet robust nature, providing increased cargo capacity, extended flight endurance, and enhanced maneuverability.

The primary types of unmanned composites include carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP), glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP), aramid fiber reinforced polymer (AFRP), and boron fiber reinforced polymer (BFRP). CFRP specifically consists of carbon fiber reinforcements embedded within a polymer matrix. These materials find application across various unmanned platforms such as aerial vehicles (UAVs), ground vehicles (UGVs), surface vehicles (USVs), autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), autonomous ships, and passenger drones. They are utilized for a multitude of applications, encompassing both interior and exterior functionalities within these unmanned systems.

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

The unmanned composites market consists of sales of composite airframes, composite propellers, composite payload enclosures, composite fairings, and composite armor. 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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