Target drones are unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that are
specifically designed to mimic the characteristics of real aircraft for the
purposes of training and testing military systems. These drones are also used
for target practice, as well as for testing new technologies and weapons.
The development of target drones has revolutionized the way
military training and testing is conducted. Prior to their introduction,
live-fire exercises were conducted using manned aircraft, which was not only expensive,
but also risky for the pilots involved. Target drones have made these exercises
much safer and more cost-effective.
One of the key advantages of target drones is their ability
to replicate the flight characteristics of real aircraft. This makes them
invaluable in testing and evaluating new weapons and technologies. For example,
target drones can be used to test the accuracy of surface-to-air missiles,
which are designed to intercept hostile aircraft. By using target drones,
military personnel can simulate a wide range of different scenarios, and test
their equipment in a safe and controlled environment.
Target drones are also used extensively in military training
exercises. These drones can be programmed to fly in a variety of different
patterns, and can be used to simulate a range of different threats, including
enemy aircraft and missiles. By using target drones in training exercises,
military personnel can develop and refine their skills in a safe and controlled
environment.
In recent years, the use of target drones has expanded
beyond the military. They are now used by law enforcement agencies to test and
evaluate new technologies, such as drone detection systems. Target drones are
also used in the commercial sector, for applications such as aerial photography
and surveying.
Despite their many benefits, target drones also raise some
concerns. One of the main issues is the potential for these drones to be used
in unauthorized surveillance. There have been cases of target drones being used
by individuals to spy on others, and this has raised concerns about privacy and
security.
Dynamics of Target Drones Market
Drivers in Target
drones Market
The target drones market is being driven by the increased
emphasis on enhanced military training. Target drones are the preferred
solution for threat simulation due to their realism, cost-effectiveness, and
operational effectiveness, which improves overall training efficacy. Military
forces worldwide are benefiting from the constructive training environment
offered by target drones. The market is also being driven by the rising demand
for internal combustion (IC) engines and turbojet engines based target drones.
IC engines are used for navigation and light drones, while turbojet engines are
used for armed forces drones. The market is expected to grow as new military
agencies increasingly adopt target drones to combat missions, enforce law, and
protect borders. The integration of advanced target drones in ongoing warfare
systems to deal with combat threats is also driving market growth.
Restraints in Target
drones Market
However, the lack of skilled and trained personnel is a
major restraint for the market. Target drones require specialized knowledge to
operate and control, and human error can have severe implications as they rely
more on computer technology, autopilot, and radio transmission. Currently,
efforts are being made to reduce drone accidents by improving the autonomy of
these drones and reducing the degree of human operator involvement. Various
training programs are also being undertaken to train pilots for the precise
operation of drones, thereby reducing the probability of drone accidents.
In summary, the target drones market is being driven by the
need for enhanced military training, increased demand for IC and turbojet
engines based target drones, and rising integration of advanced target drones
in ongoing warfare systems. However, the lack of skilled and trained personnel
is a major restraint for the market.
Opportunities in
Target drones Market
The use of target drones for simulating a real threat
environment is crucial in air force pilot training. In the United States, there
has been a trend of converting retired fighter aircraft into full-scale model
target drones for over 30 years. The US Air Force started using full-scaled
target drones in 1986, with Flight Systems Inc. awarded a contract to convert
F-106 Delta Darts to QF-106 target drones. Over time, the QF-106 was replaced
by QF-4 Phantoms in 1997, and now, the QF-4 is being replaced with QF-16 Falcons.
The replication of real-time war scenarios becomes inevitable due to the
increasing tactical threats, thus extending this trend of converting retired
fighter aircraft into target drones worldwide, which offers growth
opportunities to target drone manufacturers.
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technology
in target drones has been a game-changer for the global market. Vendors are
conducting extensive research activities and manufacturing drones with
autonomous tools backed by machine learning (ML) and AI capabilities. The
commercialization of unmanned aerial vehicles, fuel cells, energy systems, and
AI-enabled unmanned aerial vehicles is growing rapidly, leading to the
manufacture of an easy target drone with several functions and increased
efficiency.
The rise of territorial disputes, conflicts, and wars in
several different countries worldwide has led to an increase in the use of
target drone assaults, outperforming traditional military hardware. This has
encouraged the army to receive target drone in attack defense and
drone-destruction training, fueling the growth of the target drone market in
the coming years.
However, one of the most significant challenges faced by
target drone manufacturers is the lack of sustainable power sources that can
improve drone endurance and deliver the required amount of energy to different
payloads, such as radars and lasers.
Target drones Market Ecosystem
The target drones market has been segmented based on various
applications, including combat training, target & decoy, reconnaissance,
target identification, and target acquisition. Among these segments, the combat
training segment holds the largest market share in terms of value, accounting
for 50.2% of the overall market. The increasing capabilities and endurance of
target drones have led to their growing demand in the market.
Target drones are extensively used by defense forces for the
training and testing of anti-aircraft crews. These drones simulate enemy
aircraft used in war and are available for air, ground, as well as marine
training platforms. The growing interest in target drones has led companies to
convert fighter aircraft into full-scale target drones that can simulate real
threats.
The reconnaissance segment is expected to grow at the
highest CAGR of 9.8% during the forecast period. Reconnaissance involves tasks
such as avoiding obstacles or no-fly-zones, reaching the close vicinity of a
specific target, avoiding inter-agent collision, and forming an equilateral
formation around a target. Target drones used for reconnaissance applications
include the RQ-21A Blackjack from the Boeing Company and BQM-74 from Northrop
Grumman Corporation, among others.
North America has emerged as the leading region in the
target drones market in terms of value. This region includes the United States
and Canada, which are major players in the market. North America is a hub for
target drones manufacturers, such as Kratos Defense & Security Solutions,
Inc., Grumman Corporation, and Boeing Company. The increasing demand for target
drones in North America can be attributed to the presence of the defense
manufacturing industry, a growing global demand for defense platforms, and
ongoing upgradation programs for existing defense systems. As a result, North
America is expected to continue leading the target drones market in the coming
years.
The world has witnessed a rise in wars and conflicts in many
nations over the past years. Recent political upheaval in Afghanistan has led
to a permanent state of chaos, with a rise in terrorist attacks and violent
conflicts expected to spread to neighboring nations. Ongoing wars and minor
conflicts are prevalent globally, especially in the Middle East, North West
Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Mexico's drug war. Governments worldwide are buying
arms and ammunition to counter terrorism, block enemy entry, and curb
anti-national activities. The unfortunate events in the US and France have led
to many citizens carrying guns for self-defense. The recent Armenia-Azerbaijan
war showcased the effectiveness of drone attacks in providing an added
advantage over conventional war equipment, prompting armies to train against
drone attacks and efficiently destroy enemy drones. These factors are
anticipated to propel the growth of the global target drone market in the
future.
Drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have significantly
increased in use over the years, particularly for border safety,
counter-insurgency, surveillance, and data gathering across commercial assets.
Drones are force multipliers that can improve the security forces' ability to
monitor criminal activities and tackle evolving defense and homeland security
challenges. Drones are also commercialized worldwide, being used by oil and gas
companies, survey agencies, land and water resources protection agencies, and
news agencies, contributing notably to the global market's growth.
As drone manufacturing increases, adverse events are
expected to rise significantly, necessitating governments to safeguard their
borders, people, and assets from evolving threats. Unchecked drone-related
threats could lead to immense financial implications and loss of lives
worldwide. Therefore, the rise in malicious drone-related incidents has
increased the demand for target drones, which can help train army personnel
against such events, fueling the growth of the global target drone market.
The target drones market has witnessed several recent
developments, which have contributed to its growth and expansion. One such
development is the increasing adoption of target drones for various
applications, such as combat missions, law enforcement, and border protection,
among others. This has led to a surge in demand for advanced unmanned aerial
vehicles (UAVs) and target drones, which are capable of providing accurate and
reliable data.
Another recent development in the target drones market is
the growing demand for internal combustion (IC) engines and turbojet engines
for drones. IC engines are known for their high processing speeds, while
turbojet engines provide more power. Combining these two technologies has
resulted in smarter drones that are more efficient and effective.
Moreover, the target drones market has also witnessed
advancements in drone autonomy, which has led to a reduction in drone accidents
caused by poor operator control. To achieve greater maneuverability, target
drones are required to simulate real-life wartime environments, and thus, need
skilled personnel for remote piloting. To address this, various training
programs are being conducted to train pilots for precise drone operation,
thereby reducing the probability of drone accidents.
Furthermore, North America has emerged as the leading region
in the target drones market, owing to the presence of the defense manufacturing
industry, growing global demand for defense platforms, and ongoing upgradation
programs for existing defense systems. The region is home to several target
drone manufacturers, such as Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.,
Grumman Corporation, and Boeing Company.
Dominating Companies in Target drones Market
- AEROTARGETS INTERNATIONAL LLC.
- AeroTargets International LLC.
- AeroVironment Inc.
- Aeryon Labs Inc.
- AIR AFFAIRS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
- AIRBUS GROUP
- ALMAZ-ANTEY
- ANADRONE SYSTEMS
- BAE SYSTEMS
- Boeing
- BSK DEFENSE SA
- DENEL DYNAMICS
- Elbit Systems Ltd.
- Embention
- GENERAL DYNAMICS CORPORATION
- GRIFFON AEROSPACE
- IAI.
- Johnson Controls Inc.
- KRATOS DEFENSE & SECURITY SOLUTIONS INC.
- L3 ASV
- LEONARDO SPA.
- LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
- NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORPORATION
- QINETIQ GROUP PLC
- RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
- SAAB AB
- Textron Systems
- THALES
- THE BOEING COMPANY
Recent Developments in Target drones Market
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions acquired Composite
Engineering Inc. in 2020. This acquisition helped Kratos expand its target
drone business and strengthen its position in the market.
In 2019, Leonardo acquired a 70% stake in the German company
HENSOLDT's Eurofighter radar business. This partnership aimed to develop new
technologies for target drones and other defense applications.
In 2019, AeroVironment acquired Pulse Aerospace, a developer
of small VTOL UAS (unmanned aircraft systems) platforms. This acquisition
helped AeroVironment expand its target drone portfolio and provide customers
with a wider range of solutions.
In 2018, Boeing and the Australian Department of Defense
signed a partnership agreement to develop and test unmanned systems, including
target drones. The partnership aimed to advance Australia's defense
capabilities and provide Boeing with opportunities for future business growth.
In 2018, Airbus and Singapore's Defence Science and
Technology Agency (DSTA) signed a collaboration agreement to develop new
technologies for target drones and other unmanned systems. The partnership
aimed to leverage Airbus' expertise in aerospace and DSTA's expertise in
defense technology to develop innovative solutions for the market.
In 2021, FLIR Systems acquired Altavian, a developer of
small unmanned aerial systems. The acquisition aimed to expand FLIR's drone capabilities
and provide customers with integrated solutions for aerial surveillance and
intelligence.
In 2020, Kratos Defense & Security Solutions announced a
strategic partnership with Inovor Technologies, an Australian satellite
company. The partnership aimed to develop new solutions for the target drone
market, such as advanced satellite communication systems.
In 2019, Northrop Grumman acquired Orbital ATK, a
manufacturer of rockets and target drones. The acquisition aimed to strengthen
Northrop Grumman's position in the target drone market and expand its offerings
to customers.
In 2018, Boeing acquired Aurora Flight Sciences, a developer
of autonomous systems and target drones. The acquisition aimed to expand
Boeing's portfolio of unmanned aerial vehicles and advance its leadership
position in the market.
In 2018, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems acquired
Bluefin Robotics, a developer of unmanned underwater vehicles. The acquisition
aimed to expand General Atomics' capabilities in unmanned systems and provide
customers with integrated solutions for aerial and underwater surveillance.
Overall, target drones are an important tool for military
testing and training. They offer a safe and cost-effective way to evaluate new
technologies, and can be used to simulate a wide range of different scenarios.
While there are some concerns about their potential misuse, the benefits of
target drones are clear, and they will likely continue to play an important
role in military and civilian applications for years to come.
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