Technavio analysts expect the global small UAV market to reach USD 1.86 billion by 2020, growing at a CAGR of over 6%, according to their latest report.
Small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are largely being used by the military in conflict regions around the world. Small UAVs can be classified as mini UAVs and micro UAVs. During military operations, they can be launched as portable air-defense systems by infantrymen. The cost effectiveness and ease to acquire and operate these small UAVs in comparison to manned aircraft (and other larger UAVs) has led to an increase in the demand from multiple sectors such as military, industrial, agriculture, and real estate.
According to Abhay Singh, a lead research analyst at Technavio for defense “A major factor influencing the growth of the global small UAV market is the rising demand from emerging markets, mainly from the Middle East and Asia. Emerging countries, such as Brazil, China, and India, are using small UAVs for different military and civilian applications.”
Technavio’s lead aerospace and defense market research analysts have identified the following three factors that will drive the growth of the global small UAV market:
Demand for small UAVs from emerging markets
Increased demand for civil-commercial applications
Utilization of small UAVs for military applications
Demand for small UAVs from emerging markets
There is a growing demand from the emerging markets in APAC, South America, and the Middle East for small UAVs for military applications.
For example, in India, the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) designed and developed Imperial Eagle, a small UAV used by Indian National Security Guard, Indian Army, and Indian Air Force in 2012.
The Indian Directorate General of Infantry sought information for 600 sets of small UAVs to be employed by the Indian Army. Apart from this, the Indian Navy and Coast Guard also wish to utilize small UAVs for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, monitoring sea lines of communications, search and rescue, and in anti-piracy roles.
Similarly, there has been a tremendous demand for small UAVs in China where in addition to military use, they are also being employed for different applications such as environmental inspections, rescue missions, aerial photography, and geographical surveys.
Increased demand for Civil-Commercial Applications
Improvements in technology, economical acquisition and ease of operation have led to the rapid growth of the small UAVs market for commercial applications. Commercial UAVs are mainly used for surveying, scanning, aerial photography, 3D mapping, oil and gas pipeline monitoring, wind turbine blade inspection, real estate survey, and many other similar applications.
“Some of the major industry segments that are already using UAVs are mining industry, agriculture, civil construction, oil and gas, energy services, energy transmission and distribution, telecommunication, engineering firms, movie industry, and real estate,” says Abhay.
Utilization of small UAVs for military applications
In recent years, advances in technology have enabled small UAVs to overcome critical deficiencies (such as navigational issues and automated operation) and become an integral part of the military applications. UAV technology has come to the point where UAV models are economical and highly capable. Military operations mandate increased reliability and proven effectiveness in any new technology.
Another major use of small UAVs in the military has been for information, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations and spy missions. The low-radar cross section area and diminished acoustic and infrared signature of small UAVs make them suitable for most tactical missions.
Military UAVs are also engaged in operations such as disaster management, communications applications, search and rescue, and security.