Unmanned Composites Global Market Report 2025

Unmanned composites refer to fibrous materials integrated into a resin matrix, commonly utilized in the construction of unmanned aircraft or drones. These composite materials are favored in unmanned aerial vehicles due to their lightweight yet robust nature, providing increased cargo capacity, extended flight endurance, and enhanced maneuverability.

The primary types of unmanned composites include carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP), glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP), aramid fiber reinforced polymer (AFRP), and boron fiber reinforced polymer (BFRP). CFRP specifically consists of carbon fiber reinforcements embedded within a polymer matrix. These materials find application across various unmanned platforms such as aerial vehicles (UAVs), ground vehicles (UGVs), surface vehicles (USVs), autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), autonomous ships, and passenger drones. They are utilized for a multitude of applications, encompassing both interior and exterior functionalities within these unmanned systems.

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 unmanned composites market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides unmanned composites market statistics, including unmanned composites industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an unmanned composites market share, detailed unmanned composites market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the unmanned composites industry. These unmanned composites 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 unmanned composites market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $1.68 billion in 2024 to $1.89 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.7%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to research and development funding, aerospace and defense requirements, commercial drone market growth, telecommunications and connectivity, sustainability and green technology.

The unmanned composites market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $3.25 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.5%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increased automation and autonomy, a rise in urban air mobility (UAM), space exploration and satellite development, medical and healthcare applications, and hybrid energy and renewable systems. Major trends in the forecast period include 3d printing and additive manufacturing, bio-inspired composite design, flexible and shape-memory composites, nanocomposites for enhanced properties, and customizable and modular components.

The forecast of 14.5% growth over the next five years reflects a modest reduction of 0.4% 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 thermoplastic composite materials, sourced from key regions such as the Netherlands, Japan, and Germany, which could increase drone manufacturing costs.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 escalating demand for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is poised to be a significant driver of growth in the unmanned composites market. Unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly referred to as drones, operate without human pilots and can either fly autonomously or be remotely controlled. The utilization of unmanned composites in drones enables improved performance, increased payload capacities, extended flight endurance, enhanced aerodynamics, and superior durability. A forecast by the Federal Aviation Administration in June 2022 predicts a surge in the number of commercial drones (used in business applications) to 828,000 and recreational drones (used for personal enjoyment) to 1.48 million by 2024. This increasing demand for unmanned aerial vehicles is a key factor propelling the growth of the unmanned composites market.

The upward trajectory of military spending is anticipated to further boost the unmanned composites market. Military spending encompasses the allocation of financial resources by governments for defense-related activities, including the enhancement of military capabilities. Increased military spending contributes to the development of advanced autonomous technologies for applications such as surveillance, reconnaissance, and combat, thereby improving operational efficiency and reducing human risk. As of April 2023, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute reported that North American military spending reached $904 billion in 2022, reflecting a 0.7% increase compared to 2021. This surge in military spending plays a pivotal role in driving the unmanned composites market.

The trend of product innovation is gaining momentum in the unmanned composites market, with major companies striving to introduce cutting-edge products to maintain their market positions. In September 2022, Xenia Srl, an Italian plastic fabrication company, unveiled the XECARB ST, a novel family of super tough carbon fiber-reinforced composites. Recognizing the demand for heightened impact resistance alongside advanced lightweight properties, XECARB ST stands out with significantly improved notched impact resistance, low-temperature flexibility, and tensile elongation at break. This innovation in the XECARB range addresses the need for lightweight solutions while maintaining superior impact strength.

Leading companies in the unmanned composites market are pursuing strategic collaboration approaches to deliver advanced nanomaterial-reinforced drones. A strategic collaboration involves a mutually beneficial partnership between organizations to achieve common goals through coordinated efforts and resource sharing. For example, in August 2023, Carborundum Universal Ltd., an India-based manufacturer and developer of abrasives and industrial ceramics, partnered with IdeaForge Technology, an Indian drone manufacturer, to create drones incorporating innovative nanomaterial-reinforced composite components. This collaboration aimed to produce drones that are lighter, stronger, and more durable by utilizing the advantages of nanomaterial composite materials, which offer enhanced mechanical strength, increased toughness, and superior electrical and thermal conductivity.

In February 2023, Creative Composites Group (CCG), a fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) manufacturer based in the United States, completed the acquisition of Enduro Composites for an undisclosed sum. This strategic acquisition is aimed at bolstering CCG's existing services and expanding its global presence. It particularly focuses on leveraging Enduro Composites' strengths, including its field service capabilities that encompass installation, maintenance, and aftermarket support. Enduro Composites, also based in the United States, specializes in manufacturing fiberglass-reinforced polymer composites.

Major companies operating in the unmanned composites market include Mitsubishi Rayon, The Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, NVIDIA, Evonic Industries AG, Toray Industries Inc., Solvay S.A., Dupont Inc., Owens Corning, Formosa Plastics Corporation, Teijin Limited, Elbit Systems, Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, Leonardo DRS, Aerojet Rocketdyne, Hexcel Corporation, Materion Corporation, SGL Carbon SE, Stratasys Ltd., Gurit Holding AG, AeroVironment, ZOLTEK Corp., Unitech Aerospace, Cytec Engineered Materials Inc., Quantum Composites Inc., DowAksa Advanced Composites Holdings B.V., Tencate Advanced Composites, Renegade Materials Corporation.

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

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

The unmanned composites market consists of sales of composite airframes, composite propellers, composite payload enclosures, composite fairings, and composite armor. 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.

Unmanned Composites 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 unmanned composites 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 unmanned composites? 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 unmanned composites 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 Type: Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP); Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP); Aramid Fiber Reinforced Polymer (AFRP); Boron Fiber Reinforced Polymer (BFRP)
• 2) By Platform: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles; Unmanned Ground Vehicles; Unmanned Surface Vehicles; Autonomous Underwater Vehicles; Remotely Operated Vehicles; Autonomous Ship; Passenger Drone
• 3) By Application: Interior; Exterior
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP): Continuous Carbon Fiber Reinforced Composites; Short Carbon Fiber Reinforced Composites; Hybrid Carbon Fiber Composites
• 2) By Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP): Continuous Glass Fiber Reinforced Composites; Short Glass Fiber Reinforced Composites; Hybrid Glass Fiber Composites
• 3) By Aramid Fiber Reinforced Polymer (AFRP): Continuous Aramid Fiber Reinforced Composites; Short Aramid Fiber Reinforced Composites; Hybrid Aramid Fiber Composites
• 4) By Boron Fiber Reinforced Polymer (BFRP): Continuous Boron Fiber Reinforced Composites; Short Boron Fiber Reinforced Composites; Hybrid Boron Fiber Reinforced Composites
• Companies Mentioned: Mitsubishi Rayon; The Boeing Company; Lockheed Martin; Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation; NVIDIA; Evonic Industries AG; Toray Industries Inc.; Solvay S.A.; Dupont Inc.; Owens Corning; Formosa Plastics Corporation; Teijin Limited; Elbit Systems; Teledyne Technologies Incorporated; Leonardo DRS; Aerojet Rocketdyne; Hexcel Corporation; Materion Corporation; SGL Carbon SE; Stratasys Ltd.; Gurit Holding AG; AeroVironment; ZOLTEK Corp.; Unitech Aerospace; Cytec Engineered Materials Inc.; Quantum Composites Inc.; DowAksa Advanced Composites Holdings B.V.; Tencate Advanced Composites; Renegade Materials Corporation.
• 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.