Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 5.8 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $4.0bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Volatile contracts caused the revenue to stagnate
- Military spending accounts for most of the industry's revenue. The UAV manufacturing revenue tends to move along with military budgets, tying the industry's performance to government contracts.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Reshoring efforts will bolster domestic manufacturing
- The Department of Defense has released its Blue SUAS list (last updated in 2021) of approved drone manufacturers for federally funded programs and agencies to purchase from, which should support domestic non-military drone manufacturers moving forward.
Biggest companies in the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Manufacturing in the US
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue ($m)
2024 | Profit ($m)
2024 | Profit Margin (%)
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Textron Inc. | 575.8 | 58.2 | 10.1 | |
General Atomics | 506.5 | 23.1 | 4.6 | |
Boeing Co | 204.7 | 13.6 | 6.6 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 4 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Tactical and low altitude UAVs, MALE UAVs and HALE UAVs. Tactical and low altitude UAVs is the largest segment of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Manufacturing in the US.
Trends and Insights
High-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) UAVs have been out paced by smaller UAVs
- This segment accounts for high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) UAVs. These UAVs fly at altitudes of above 50,000 feet and are primarily used for surveillance operations, with some used for scientific purposes.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Industry operators manufacture and design unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and related control systems for civilian and military applications. UAVs can be either autonomous or remote-controlled and are used in situations where the use of a human pilot is undesirable or dangerous.
What's included in this industry?
Manufacturing UAVs for armed attackManufacturing UAVs for surveillanceManufacturing UAVs for researchUAV research and developmentCompanies
Textron Inc.General AtomicsBoeing CoPurchase this report to view all 4 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE (UAV)UNMANNED COMBAT AIR VEHICLE (UCAV)UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM (UAS)STEALTHIndustry Code
NAICS 33641 - Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Manufacturing in the US
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
The UAV manufacturing industry's revenue is heavily influenced by military contracts, with fluctuations caused by the timing and size of these agreements. Late signing of maj...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Tactical, low-altitude UAVs are witnessing strong growth due to their low price and increased utility. Their affordability and effectiveness in military operations make them ...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
The West region is a major hub for UAV manufacturing due to access to seaports, military bases and Silicon Valley. These factors provide cost-effective raw material importati...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each state in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Military UAV markets have higher concentration due to regulatory barriers and extensive contract requirements. Only large, reputable companies can secure military contracts, ...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
General Atomics has been awarded a $94.8 million contract to enhance its Smart Sensor ISR prototype. This initiative aims to improve the integration of autonomous systems wit...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of Textron Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of General Atomics's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Boeing Co's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for one additional company
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Textron Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for General Atomics, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Boeing Co, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for one additional company
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
The Arms Export Control Act (AECA) regulates the foreign sale of defense articles and services. It empowers the president to control arms trades, ensuring sensitive technolog...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Military-grade UAVs face less import competition and secure long-term US government contracts, providing financial stability for larger manufacturers. These contracts allow f...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
- Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
- Income Statement (2017-2022)
- Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
- Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Manufacturing in the US industry in United States in 2024?
The market size of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Manufacturing in the US industry in United States is $4.0bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Manufacturing in the US industry in 2024?
There are 73 businesses in the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Manufacturing in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 3.0 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Manufacturing in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Manufacturing in the US industry in United States has been declining at a CAGR of 5.8 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Manufacturing in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Manufacturing in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Manufacturing in the US market in United States?
The biggest companies operating in the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Manufacturing market in United States are Textron Inc., General Atomics and Boeing Co
What does the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Manufacturing in the US in United States include?
Manufacturing UAVs for armed attack and Manufacturing UAVs for surveillance are part of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Manufacturing in the US industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Manufacturing in the US in United States?
The company holding the most market share in United States is Textron Inc..
How competitive is the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Manufacturing in the US industry in United States?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Manufacturing in the US industry in United States.
Related Industries
Widen your competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Aircraft, Engine & Parts Manufacturing in the US
Complementors
- Space Vehicle & Missile Manufacturing in the US
- Tank & Armored Vehicle Manufacturing in the US
International industries
- Global Military Aircraft & Aerospace Manufacturing
- Aircraft, Engine & Parts Manufacturing in Canada
- Aircraft Manufacturing and Repair Services in Australia
- Aircraft Manufacturing and Repair Services in New Zealand
- Aircraft, Engine & Parts Manufacturing in the UK
View all industries in United States
Methodology
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Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the US include:
- US Census Bureau
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics
- US International Trade Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
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