PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1773692
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1773692
Thrust vector control (TVC), also known as thrust vectoring, denotes the capability of an airplane's rocket or another vehicle to regulate altitude or angular velocity by redirecting its forward momentum from its engine or motor. This system is commonly employed in aircraft to control axial thrust and provide attitude control.
The primary types of thrust vector control include gimbal nozzle, thrusters, flex nozzle, rotating nozzle, and other variants. A thruster is a propellant device utilized by spaceships and watercraft for activities such as station holding, attitude control, reaction control, and long-duration, low-thrust acceleration. Various systems associated with thrust vector control include thrust vector actuation systems, thrust vector injection systems, and thrust vector thruster systems. These systems find applications in launch vehicles, satellites, missiles, and fighter aircraft, primarily used by space agencies and the defense sectors.
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 thrust vector control market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides thrust vector control market statistics, including thrust vector control industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a thrust vector control market share, detailed thrust vector control market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the thrust vector control industry. This thrust vector control market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.
The thrust vector control market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $12.77 billion in 2024 to $13.94 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to military modernization programs, space exploration initiatives, strategic defense investments, aerospace industry expansion, geopolitical tensions and threats.
The thrust vector control market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $19.33 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for precision strike weapons, space commercialization and tourism, global focus on missile defense, emergence of next-generation aircraft. Major trends in the forecast period include strategic collaborations, thrust vectoring for hypersonic vehicles, integration with next-generation aircraft, 3d thrust vectoring.
The forecast of 8.5% growth over the next five years reflects a modest reduction of 0.2% 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 hydraulic servo actuators, sourced from key regions such as Germany, Italy, and Japan, which could delay missile guidance system production.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.
The increasing demand for corporate and military satellites is anticipated to drive the growth of the thrust vector control market in the coming years. Corporate satellites are designed and marketed for commercial, academic, non-profit, or civilian purposes through commercial contracts, as opposed to military applications. Military satellites, on the other hand, are launched to perform tasks related to transmission, navigation, and surveillance for various military operations on Earth. The rising need for both commercial and military satellites boosts the importance of thrust vector control, which enables a rocket or launch vehicle to alter its flight path by adjusting the engine's thrust. This capability is crucial for space and aerospace movement. For example, in July 2022, the Space Foundation, a US-based non-profit organization advocating for the global space ecosystem, reported that 72 rockets and 1,022 identifiable satellites were launched between January and June 2022. Additionally, in April 2024, Slingshot Aerospace, a US-based software company specializing in satellite tracking and space traffic coordination, noted that 2,877 satellites were deployed in 2023, marking a 14.6% increase from 2022. Thus, the rising demand for corporate and military satellites is propelling the thrust vector control market.
The expanding defense industry is also expected to drive growth in the thrust vector control market. The defense industry includes businesses and organizations involved in the research, development, production, and sale of military equipment, weapons, and technologies for national security and defense. Thrust vector control (TVC) is utilized within this sector to enhance missile and rocket performance by adjusting thrust direction during flight, thereby improving accuracy, agility, and maneuverability for precise targeting and effective defense against emerging threats. For instance, in September 2023, the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), a US-based trade group, reported that the aerospace and defense (A&D) industry generated $952 billion in combined sales in 2022, reflecting a 6.7% increase from 2021. The same report indicated that A&D sector exports rose by 4.4% to reach a total of $104.8 billion. Therefore, the growing defense industry is contributing to the expansion of the thrust vector control market.
Advancements in 3D printing emerge as a key trend gaining traction in the thrust vector control market. Major companies in thrust vector control are prioritizing the development of innovative 3D-printed products to strengthen their market position. For example, in May 2023, Relativity Space, a US-based aerospace technology manufacturer, introduced Terran 1, the first test rocket composed entirely of 3D-printed parts. The rocket featured nine engines crafted through additive manufacturing using a groundbreaking copper alloy capable of withstanding temperatures exceeding 6,000 degrees Fahrenheit. This 3D printing innovation showcases the digital slicing of a 3D computer model into thin layers in laser powder bed fusion.
Major companies are focusing on the development of innovative products such as thrust vector control actuators and controllers for space vehicle launches. These actuators and controllers play a crucial role in steering the vehicle during launch, ensuring its success. For instance, in November 2022, Moog Inc., a US-based aerospace and defense company, played a key role in the Artemis 1 mission, the first uncrewed test flight of NASA's mission to return to the Moon. Moog's thrust vector control actuators and controllers were instrumental in steering the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, the most powerful ever built, ensuring the mission's success.
In July 2023, Safran, a France-based aerospace and defense firm, acquired the actuation and flight control business of Collins Aerospace for $1.8 billion. This acquisition is intended to enhance Collins Aerospace's actuation and flight control sector by integrating advanced technologies and products, ultimately improving the performance, safety, and efficiency of both commercial and military aircraft systems. Collins Aerospace is a US-based multinational aerospace and defense company that specializes in thrust vector control.
Major companies operating in the thrust vector control market include General Electric Company, Raytheon Technologies Corporation, The Boeing Company, Bharat Dynamics Limited, Northrop Grumman, Honeywell International Inc., Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, BAE Systems, Safran S.A., Eaton Corporation plc, Thales Group, L3Harris Technologies Inc., Rolls-Royce Holdings plc, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., Israel Aerospace Industries, Pratt and Whitney, MBDA, Moog Inc., Woodward Inc, Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings Inc., Sierra Nevada Corporation, JASC Corporation, SABCA (Societes Anonyme Belge de Constructions Aeronautiques), Almatech SA, Wickman Spacecraft and Propulsion Company, Jansen Aircraft Systems Control Inc.
North America was the largest region in the thrust vector control market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the thrust vector control market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.
The countries covered in the thrust vector control market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
The thrust vector control market consists of sales of electromechanical TVC systems, electrohydraulic TVC systems, electro hydrostatic TVC systems, electromechanical actuators, and modular control electronics units. 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.
Thrust Vector Control 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 thrust vector control 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.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for thrust vector control? 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 thrust vector control 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 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.