Autopilot System Global Market Report 2025

An autopilot system serves as the electrical, mechanical, or hydraulic setup enabling autonomous operations for aerial, marine, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Comprising a computer system, actuator, global positioning service (GPS), flight director control, and avionics systems, it aims to autonomously manage vehicle functions. Its primary goal is to reduce pilot workload during extended journeys while enhancing overall vehicle performance.

Distinct types of autopilot systems exist, including attitude and heading reference systems, flight control systems, flight director systems, and avionics systems. The attitude and heading reference system relies on sensors across three axes, providing crucial aircraft attitude details such as roll, pitch, and yaw. These systems are further categorized based on the type of aircraft include rotary-wing and fixed-wing and find applications in diverse platforms such as airborne, sea, subsea, and land-based operations. They serve various sectors including military, defense, and commercial industries.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The sharp increase in U.S. tariffs and resulting trade disputes in spring 2025 are significantly affecting the aerospace and defense sector. Prices for key materials such as titanium, carbon fiber composites, and avionics primarily sourced from international suppliers have surged. Defense contractors, constrained by fixed-price government contracts, are forced to absorb these rising costs. Meanwhile, commercial aerospace companies are encountering resistance from airlines over increased aircraft prices. In addition, customs delays are disrupting already tight production timelines for jets and satellites. In response, the industry is stockpiling essential materials, pursuing import waivers for defense-related goods, and working with allied nations to diversify supply chains.

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

The autopilot system market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $5.61 billion in 2024 to $5.94 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.0%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to aviation safety advancements, airline industry growth, regulatory standards and compliance, enhanced aircraft performance, and the rise of commercial aviation.

The autopilot system market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $7.83 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.1%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to the growing demand for passenger safety, integration with next-gen aircraft, focus on fuel efficiency, regulatory compliance updates, and advancements in AI and machine learning. Major trends in the forecast period include software and firmware upgrades, a focus on redundancy and safety, advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), human-machine interface innovation, and enhanced sensor technology.

The forecast of 7.1% growth over the next five years reflects a modest reduction of 0.3% from the previous estimate for this market.This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. This is likely to directly affect the US through supply chain disruptions for inertial navigation units, sourced from key regions such as France and Canada, which could lead to delays in commercial and military aircraft automation.The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.

Projected escalations in air passenger numbers are poised to drive the expansion of the autopilot system market. With air passengers defined as individuals utilizing air transportation, the surge in their volume necessitates heightened automated support in air traffic control. As flight frequencies soar annually, the role of automation in managing air traffic becomes increasingly vital. Notably, following the extended lockdown during the COVID-19 outbreak, both business and leisure air travel spiked significantly. The International Civil Aviation Organization's May 2022 report revealed a staggering 65% increase in air passengers from January to April 2022 compared to the same period in 2021, accompanied by a 30% rise in aircraft flight departures, reinforcing the market's momentum.

The burgeoning expansion within logistics is anticipated to be a driving force behind the autopilot system market's growth. Logistics, encompassing the efficient flow and storage of goods, services, and information, increasingly relies on autopilot systems to expedite deliveries, optimize routes, and streamline fleet management. Noteworthy is the data from Penske Logistics in June 2023, which highlighted a significant 19.6% surge in total business logistics costs in the United States in 2022, amounting to $2.3 trillion, equivalent to 9.1% of the national gross domestic product. This surge underscores the pivotal role of autopilot systems in meeting the demands of an expanding logistics landscape.

Technological advancements emerge as a prominent trend shaping the autopilot system market. Leading companies within this sector are steadfastly innovating to fortify their market standing. A case in point is the February 2023 unveiling by Reliable Robotics Corp., introducing an advanced autopilot system for aircraft boasting high-precision navigation capabilities. This innovation revolutionizes aviation safety, enabling all-weather auto-taxi, auto-takeoff, and auto-landing sans ground infrastructure. Notably, the continuous engagement autopilot ensures prevention against fatal aircraft accidents, addressing concerns such as loss of control during flight and controlled flight into terrain, exemplifying a pioneering technological leap in the field.

Strategic partnerships and collaborations take center stage as major players in the autopilot system market seek heightened profitability. These alliances, aimed at specific business objectives, leverage advanced autopilot systems to introduce groundbreaking solutions. An illustrative instance is the November 2023 collaboration between Thales Group and StandardAero, culminating in Stable Light, a cutting-edge 4-axis autopilot system tailored for AS350 and H125 helicopters. Securing a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) from the US, this system bolsters safety and diminishes risks during critical flight phases and adverse conditions. Engineered to enhance the flight control experience, Stable Light possesses multifaceted operational capabilities, promising efficiency, reliability, and heightened safety standards within the aviation industry.

In July 2023, Safran SA, a French aerospace and defense corporation, acquired the high-technology actuation and flight control operations from Collins Aerospace. This acquisition allows Safran to gain a comprehensive range of capabilities and products, positioning the company as a leading integrated player in the industry with a complete portfolio of actuation and flight control solutions. Collins Aerospace is a US-based technology firm specializing in aerospace and defense products.

Major companies operating in the autopilot system market include Rockwell Collins Inc., BAE Systems plc, Cloud Cap Technology Inc., Furuno Electric Co. Ltd., Garmin International Inc., Genesys Aerosystems Group Inc., Honeywell International Inc., Micropilot Inc., Raymarine Ltd., Moog Inc., Safran SA, Parker Meggitt plc, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Century Flight Systems Inc., Cobham Limited, TMQ International Pty. Ltd., Thales Group, Avidyne Corporation, Dynon Avionics, SEA MACHINES Robotics Inc., West Marine, Kobelt Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Comnav Marine Ltd., Brunswick Corporation, Octopus Autopilot Drives systems, Trimble Navigation Limited, Raytheon Anschutz GmbH, The Mercedes-Benz Group AG

North America was the largest region in the autopilot system market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the global autopilot system market duirng the forecast period. The regions covered in the autopilot system market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa

The countries covered in the autopilot system market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain

The autopilot system market consists of sales of altitude and directional gyros, turn coordinators, and altitude control. 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.

Autopilot System Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.

This report focuses on autopilot system market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.

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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for autopilot system? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The autopilot system market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.

The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.

• The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market.
• The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
• The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include:

The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.

• Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
• The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth.
• The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
• The trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it emerges from the crisis and suggests how companies can grow as the market recovers.

Scope

• Markets Covered:1) By System: Attitude And Heading Reference System; Flight Control System; Flight Director System; Avionics System
• 2) By Product Type: Rotary Wing Aircraft; Fixed Wing Aircraft
• 3) By Platform: Airborne; Sea; Subsea; Land-Based
• 4) By Application: Military; Defense; Commercial
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Attitude And Heading Reference System (AHRS): Inertial Reference Units; Gyroscopic Sensors; Magnetometers
• 2) By Flight Control System (FCS): Primary Flight Control Systems; Secondary Flight Control Systems; Automatic Flight Control Systems
• 3) By Flight Director System (FDS): Vertical Flight Director; Lateral Flight Director; Integrated Flight Director Systems
• 4) By Avionics System: Navigation Systems; Communication Systems; Surveillance Systems; Display Systems
• Companies Mentioned: Rockwell Collins Inc.; BAE Systems plc; Cloud Cap Technology Inc.; Furuno Electric Co. Ltd.; Garmin International Inc.; Genesys Aerosystems Group Inc.; Honeywell International Inc.; Micropilot Inc.; Raymarine Ltd.; Moog Inc.; Safran SA; Parker Meggitt plc; Lockheed Martin Corporation; Century Flight Systems Inc.; Cobham Limited; TMQ International Pty. Ltd.; Thales Group; Avidyne Corporation; Dynon Avionics; SEA MACHINES Robotics Inc.; West Marine; Kobelt Manufacturing Co. Ltd.; Comnav Marine Ltd.; Brunswick Corporation; Octopus Autopilot Drives systems; Trimble Navigation Limited; Raytheon Anschutz GmbH; The Mercedes-Benz Group AG
• Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain
• Regions: Asia-Pacific; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
• Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
• Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
• Data Segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
• Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
• Delivery Format: PDF, Word and Excel Data Dashboard.