Target Drone Market by engine type(Jet Engine, Internal Combustion Engine, Others (Electrical, Hybrid)), by target type (Defense, Sporting, Free Flying, Towing, Full-scaled, Sub-scaled), by fit (Customized Fit, Line fit), by platform( Underwater, Sea Surface, Ground, Aerial), by end-user(Commercial, Homeland Security, Defense) by Region And Companies - Industry Segment Outlook, Market Assessment, Competition Scenario, Trends, And Forecast 2023-2032

Report Overview

Target Drone Market size is expected to be worth around USD 20.5 Bn by 2032 from USD 6.9 Bn in 2022, growing at a CAGR of 11.8% during the forecast period from 2023 to 2032.

The target drone market, a fast-growing military and commercial sector, needs viable solutions. These drones simulate real-world settings for complete training. Drones mimic real-world situations with exceptional characteristics including ballistic impact scoring and visual/video inspections.

The makers push the envelope by building advanced target drones with autopilot and obstacle avoidance capabilities, enhancing remote control. The target drone market is important because it can train military aviators, air defense, and anti-aircraft personnel. The drones accurately simulate real-world hazards, allowing pilots and workers to train safely. Aviators, air defense experts, and anti-aircraft professionals can handle real-life scenarios better and perform better thanks to the target drone market.

Drone development, training platforms, and data management systems have garnered significant investments to boost the target drone market. These expenditures have spread target drone technology outside the military. The market has expanded into agriculture, oil and gas, and security, supporting technical cross-pollination.

The aviation and aerospace sectors have invested heavily in the target drone market, but the defense sector has led. The target drone market has found partners in the agriculture, oil and gas, and security industries, leveraging drone technology to improve operational efficiency across multiple areas.

Driving factors

Rising Incidence of the Use of Unmanned Systems in Military Operations

In the future years, it is anticipated that the target drone market will experience exponential growth. The increased use of unmanned systems for military operations is one of the primary elements that is driving this growth. Many nations are beginning to look into the employment of unmanned systems as a potential solution to the growing number of international conflicts as well as the requirement for more productive and successful military operations.

Innovations in Military Education that Better Reflect Actual Conditions of Conflict

The development of new methods for military instruction is another aspect that is contributing to the expansion of the target drone market. Soldiers are better prepared for actual combat circumstances when they have the capacity to mimic realistic combat scenarios. This leads to enhanced performance and greater overall effectiveness in operational endeavors.

Increasing Demand for Practical Instruction

In recent years, there has been a concomitant surge in the growing need for realistic training. The desire for more realistic training scenarios has increased as the level of technological advancement continues to progress. This has resulted in the development of increasingly sophisticated target drones that are able to simulate actual dangers and offer soldiers the necessary training to be successful in their missions.

Restraining Factors

Limiting Factors of the Target Drone Market, Limited Battery Technology, Regulatory Restriction, Limited Range, and Limited Payload Capacity

The market for drones has experienced significant growth over the past decade, and its applications have expanded to numerous industries, including agriculture, the military, logistics, and the entertainment industry. However, the expansion of the market for drones has been hindered by a number of factors that limit their performance and capabilities. In this article, we will discuss the most significant market restraints, including limited battery technology, regulatory constraints, and limited range and payload capacity.

Insufficient Battery Technology

Limited battery technology is one of the most significant factors restraining the target drone market. Drones' flight duration, range, and payload capacity are determined by their battery technology. Unfortunately, the current battery technology used in drones suffers from a number of limitations that hinder its efficacy. Drones propelled by lithium-ion batteries have a flight time of approximately 25 to 30 minutes, limiting their applicability in numerous applications requiring longer flight times. Numerous industries, including logistics, defense, agriculture, and cartography, require a longer flight duration.

Another significant limitation of the current battery technology for drones is the high cost of maintenance and the batteries' limited lifespan. The expense of replacing or recharging drone batteries is relatively high, making daily drone use impractical for many consumers and industries. Consequently, there is a significant need for the development of more efficient and cost-effective battery technology that can extend the flight time and range of drones, reduce maintenance costs, and increase the availability of drones for a variety of applications.

Engine Type Analysis

The target drone market's engine type study is essential to identifying trends and growth potential. In this section, we will cover the Jet Engine Segment's dominance, economic development in emerging markets, consumer trends and behavior, and the reasons for its expected quickest growth rate in the coming years.

The Jet Engine Segment leads the target drone market due to its high performance and efficiency. Compared to other engines, the Jet Engine has excellent speed, endurance, and payload. Agriculture, oil and gas, and military sectors are also using Jet Engine drones for observation, inspection, and mapping. The target drone market is rising due to Jet Engine drones' popularity in various areas.

The Jet Engine Segment's adoption is driven by growing economies like China, India, and Brazil's economic growth. Drones are in significant demand for logistics, inspection, and mapping in these growing economies due to industrialization, urbanization, and infrastructure development. Jet Engine drones are more efficient and can travel farther than other engine kinds, thus emerging economies will use them in the next years. As consumers learn more about Jet Engine drones' commercial and military uses, their attitude is changing.

Target Type Analysis

Understanding the target drone market's major segments requires target-type analysis. In this section, we will analyze the Defense Segment's supremacy, economic development in emerging economies, consumer trend and behavior toward the Defense Segment, and the reasons for its expected highest growth rate in the next years.

The Defense Segment dominates the target drone market due to rising demand for military drones for surveillance, reconnaissance, and battle. The Defense Segment offers high-performance drones that can operate in difficult settings, carry huge payloads, and fly for long periods. The target drone market's Defense Segment is growing because to global demand for military drones.

Emerging economies' economic growth drives Defense Segment usage in the target drone market. Military drone demand is rising as emerging economies like China, India, and Brazil increase their defense budgets. The Defense Segment delivers drones with enhanced capabilities like long-range surveillance, high-resolution imagery, and precision aiming for modern battlefields. Emerging economies will adopt the Defense Segment to modernize their military in the next years.

Fit Analysis

Fit study of the target drone market is essential to understanding current trends and future growth potential of the customized fit sector. In this section, we will analyze the Customized Fit Segment's dominance, economic development in emerging markets, consumer trends and behavior, and the reasons for its predicted quickest growth rate in the coming years.

Due to increased demand for custom-fit drones for specific applications, the customized-fit segment dominates the target drone market. Agriculture, oil and gas, and photography industries can modify drones from the Customized Fit Segment. These sectors need drones that can do certain tasks more accurately and efficiently, hence the demand for tailored-fit drones is rising. The target drone market's Customized Fit Segment is growing due to the demand for customized drones.

The target drone market's Customized Fit Segment adoption is driven by emerging economies' economic growth. Customized drones are in great demand in emerging economies like China, India, and Brazil because to expansion in agricultural, oil and gas, and photography. Due to the need for drones that can execute specialized duties more efficiently, emerging economies are projected to adopt tailored fit drones in the next years.

Key Market Segments

by engine type:

• Jet Engine
• Internal Combustion Engine
• Others (Electrical, Hybrid)

by target type:

• Defense
• Sporting
• Free Flying
• Towing
• Full-scaled
• Sub-scaled

by fit:

• Customized Fit
• Line fit

by platform:

• Underwater
• Sea Surface
• Ground
• Aerial

by end-user:

• Commercial
• Homeland Security
• Defense

Growth Opportunity

Opportunity Motor Promoting Expansion

The development of target drones is being driven by their capacity to simulate real-time combat scenarios. Target drones can simulate the behavior of a real aircraft with their high speed and maneuverability, making them an ideal training aid for the military. Thus, target drones can enhance the skills and combat readiness of military personnel while reducing the costs associated with live training. Moreover, with the rise of transnational terrorism, the use of target drones in the defense industry has increased. They are capable of various missions, including reconnaissance, interference, and electronic warfare, among others. Target drones can also be utilized for testing and evaluating numerous weapon systems.

Acquisition of Superior Military Systems

Increasing defense expenditures for the acquisition of advanced defense systems are propelling the growth of the targeted drone market. Target drones can be utilized to test and evaluate sophisticated defense systems, such as missile defense systems and electronic warfare systems, among others.In addition, target drones can be used to simulate numerous real-world scenarios, such as aerial attacks, ground attacks, and counter-drone operations, in order to improve the combat readiness of military forces.

Promotion of Product Adoption

Due to their affordability and versatility in comparison to conventional training methods, the use of target drones has increased. Moreover, technological advancements have rendered target drones more realistic and resilient, making them a viable alternative to conventional training methods.In emerging economies, the increasing use of target drones is one of the primary drivers of product adoption. Countries such as India, China, and others are increasing their defense budgets, which is propelling the growth of the market for targeted drones.Due to the limitations of live-fire ranges, there is a growing demand for live-training exercises, which contributes to the product's rising popularity. Thus, target drones can offer a more realistic and cost-efficient alternative to live-fire ranges.

Combating Terrorism Across Borders

An additional factor contributing to the expansion of the market for target drones is the rise in transnational terrorism. Target drones can be used for border patrol, anti-terror operations, and more. They can provide real-time data on adversary positions, movements, and other crucial information required for effective counterterrorism operations.

Latest Trends

Demand for Realistic Training Scenarios Grows

Due to the increasing complexity and unpredictability of conflicts, realistic training scenarios are now more important than ever for military forces. Due to their ability to simulate real-world hazards and situations, the use of target drones for training purposes has become widespread. These drones can simulate hostile aircraft, missiles, and ships, providing soldiers with a realistic training environment to better prepare them for combat.

Increasing Military Spending

The budgets of the military have also played a significant role in the expansion of the market for target drones. For example, the United States remains the largest military spender in the world, with China ranking second. The high level of investment in military budgets has enabled the creation of more advanced and sophisticated target drones capable of meeting the requirements of modern warfare.

Regional Analysis

North America Leads Target Drone Market with Advanced Military Training Systems

The military must keep up with unparalleled technical advances. Today's military training relies on target drones, which provide real-time performance targets. Combat simulation, weapons training, and defense measures development require this advanced system. With the biggest demand for modern military training systems and technological breakthroughs, North America will lead the target drone market.Today's combat requires military technologies to react quickly. The target drone market offers advanced military training systems with realistic simulations of friendly and enemy forces, live-fire drills, and the capacity to increase soldier skills and interoperability. Target drone manufacturers in North America are investing in product improvement to advance the market.

The global arms competition promotes demand for improved training systems, which boosts the target drone market. North American target drones outperform competitors due to intensive research and development. These drones teach military personnel globally by flying higher, faster, and further.North America dominates the target drone market due to growing military funding, allowing US and Canadian businesses to stay ahead. Target drone training, maintenance, and operation technology in North America has been continually funded. The funding improve target drones, giving armed units worldwide cutting-edge equipment.North America's military companies' competence is another reason for their market supremacy. The region's defense industry produces innovative systems. Their experience manufacturing military gear improves target drone production, making military training systems more advanced, reliable, and efficient. Given military training's complexity, this is a crucial market aspect.

Key Regions and Countries

North America

• US
• Canada
• Mexico

Western Europe

• Germany
• France
• The UK
• Spain
• Italy
• Portugal
• Ireland
• Austria
• Switzerland
• Benelux
• Nordic
• Rest of Western Europe

Eastern Europe

• Russia
• Poland
• The Czech Republic
• Greece
• Rest of Eastern Europe

APAC

• China
• Japan
• South Korea
• India
• Australia & New Zealand
• Indonesia
• Malaysia
• Philippines
• Singapore
• Thailand
• Vietnam
• Rest of APAC

Latin America

• Brazil
• Colombia
• Chile
• Argentina
• Costa Rica
• Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa

• Algeria
• Egypt
• Israel
• Kuwait
• Nigeria
• Saudi Arabia
• South Africa
• Turkey
• United Arab Emirates
• Rest of MEA

Market Share & Key Players Analysis

Target drone is a UAV that serves as a target for military training. Due to rising defense spending, military training programs, and new and complicated threats, the target drone industry has grown significantly. Textron, Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Boeing, Airbus, Leonardo, Northrop Grumman, QinetiQ, Air Affairs Australia, Griffon Aerospace, and BAE Systems dominate the target drone industry.

Textron's MQM-178 Firejet, BQM-177A, and MQM-107 Streaker target drones are industry leaders. Military training uses the company's supersonic and high-altitude drones.

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, which sells high-performance drones such as the BQM-167A, MQM-178 Firejet, and XQ-58A Valkyrie, is another major target drone manufacturer. The company's drones simulate real-world hazards to teach military personnel. Military forces worldwide use target drone systems from Boeing, Airbus, Leonardo, Northrop Grumman, and BAE Systems. High-speed operations and autonomous flight make these drones efficient military training tools.

Top Key Players in the Target Drone Market

• The Boeing Company
• Northrop Grumman Corporation
• QinetiQ Group plc
• Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.
• Saab AB
• Lockheed Martin Corporation
• Airbus Group Inc.
• Leonardo SpA
• ASV Holdings Inc.
• Aerotargets International, LLC

Recent Development

• In 2022, QinetiQ Awarded a Contract to Provide Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force with Banshee Jet 80+ Targets
• In 2022, The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force awarded QinetiQ, a prominent British multinational defense technology company, a contract for the delivery of Banshee Jet 80+ unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) targets.

Report Scope