Global Stratospheric UAV Payload Technology Market Research Report: By Type (Signal Intelligence [SIGINT], Electronic Intelligence [ELINT], Communication Intelligence [COMINT], Telemetry Intelligence [TELINT]), Technology (Imagery and Sensing, Persistent Communication and Direct Broadcast TV and Radio), Platform (Military, Commercial and Scientific) - Forecast to 2027

Market Snapshot

Global Stratospheric UAV Payload Technology Market is expected to register a 3.85% CAGR during the forecast period.

Stratospheric UAV payload technology offers capabilities similar to a satellite without incurring the high costs of satellites. Stratospheric UAV payloads are available in various types, such as signal intelligence (SIGINT), electronic intelligence (ELINT), communication intelligence (COMINT), and telemetry intelligence (TELINT). UAV payloads are equipped with technologies such as imagery and sensing, persistent communication, and direct broadcast TV and radio. They are mostly used in applications such as military, commercial, and scientific applications.

In recent years, there has been an increase in the use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for electronic attacks (EA), destruction of enemy air defense (DEAD), suppression of enemy air defense (SEAD), communication transfer, combat search and rescue (CSAR), and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations.

UAVs are the next generation of aerial platforms deployed by defense forces around the world. The demand for such unmanned systems and payloads has been fuelled by their successful deployment in combat missions against terrorism, especially in countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan. Moreover, defense forces around the world are investing in these systems to counter-terrorism and reduce troop casualties. Stratospheric UAV payload technology is affordable and is primarily used in ISR missions; therefore, the demand for these systems is expected to be significant in countries with limited military budgets.

Global Stratospheric UAV payload technology Market Growth, 2018–2024

The rising number of internal and external security threats and the increasing need for border monitoring are some of the major drivers for the growth of the global stratospheric UAV payload technology market. North America accounted for 49.07% of the global stratospheric UAV payload technology market in 2018, followed by Europe. Asia-Pacific accounted for the third-largest market share in 2018. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing market for stratospheric UAV payload technology during the review period.

Synopsis

The Global Stratospheric UAV Payload Technology Market has been segmented based on type, technology, platform, and region. By type, segments of the market are Signal Intelligence (SIGINT), Electronic Intelligence (ELINT), Communication Intelligence (COMINT), and Telemetry Intelligence (TELINT). By technology, the market has been classified as imagery and sensing, persistent communication, and direct broadcast TV and radio. Based on the platform, the market has been divided into military, commercial, and scientific.

Global Stratospheric UAV Payload Technology Market Segmentation

The military segment is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period.

This segment covers the market for UAV payload technology used in the defense sector. In the defense sector, these UAV payload technologies are used for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. They can also be deployed for maritime and border surveillance, environmental surveillance, missile detection, navigation, and other applications. These UAVs can stay in the stratosphere for hours or days at a time, and payloads such as high-tech cameras can scan a wide geographic area required for surveillance. Such UAVs are procured by the defense forces of countries for monitoring national and sea borders. For instance, the UK’s Ministry of Defense has ordered the Zephyr S high-altitude pseudo-satellite from Airbus SAS for surveillance and communication. The military segment accounted for a larger market share of 58.9% in 2018, with a market value of USD 276.2 million.

Regional Analysis

The global stratospheric UAV payload technology market has been segmented, by region, into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the rest of the world.

Global Stratospheric UAV Payload Technology Market Share, by Region, 2018 (%)

North America accounted for the largest market share in 2018. Increasing military expenditure and technological advancements in North America has led to the high demand for UAVs, with the US being the larger market. In the US, the presence of prominent defense companies such as Lockheed Martin Corporation and aircraft manufacturers such as Boeing are boosting the market growth. Product launches by these companies are also bolstering market growth in the country. For example, in 2018, Lockheed Martin Corporation launched the unmanned vehicle control software VCSi that can simultaneously control multiple UAV types.

Companies such as Boeing are also launching new unmanned systems for defense forces, which is driving the market growth. For example, in February 2019, Boeing launched the Boeing Airpower Teaming System, an unmanned system that can perform rapid reconfiguration and various types of missions in tandem with other aircraft. Thus, the stratospheric UAV payload technology market in North America is estimated to register a CAGR of 3.09% during the forecast period.

Companies Covered

The Key Players in the Global Stratospheric UAV Payload Technology Market are Airbus SAS (Netherlands), The Boeing Company (US), Lockheed Martin Corporation (US), QinetiQ Group PLC (UK), Thales Group (France), Arca Space Corp. (US), Near Space Systems, Inc. (the US), and OpenStratosphere SA (Switzerland).

Key Developments

• In November 2018, The Boeing Company's Aurora Flight Services launched its HAPS called Odysseus, which is a solar-powered autonomous aircraft.

• In September 2018, Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales Group and Leonardo SpA, is preparing a stratospheric balloon demonstration for 4G/5G telecom applications with Hispasat, the Spanish satellite communications operator. The demonstration will test 4G/5G applications by allowing direct communications between smartphones and a HAPS with communication payloads.

• In November 2017, The Boeing Company acquired Aurora Flight Sciences to develop and manufacture advanced aerospace platforms and autonomous systems.

Market Segmentation

• By Type: Signal Intelligence (SIGINT), Electronic Intelligence (ELINT), Communication Intelligence (COMINT), and Telemetry Intelligence (TELINT)


• By Technology: Imagery and Sensing, Persistent Communication, and Direct Broadcast TV and Radio


• By Platform: Military, Commercial, and Scientific


• By Region: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World

Key Questions Addressed by the Report

• What was the historic market size (2018)?


• Which segmentation (Sensor Type/Deployment/End User) is driving market growth?


• What will be the growth rate from 2019 to 2024?


• Who are the key players in this market?


• What are the strategies adopted by the key players?