Product Code: GVR-4-68040-623-9
Unmanned Systems Market Summary
The global unmanned systems market size was estimated at USD 26.55 billion in 2024and is projected to reach USD 48.31 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 10.5% from 2025 to 2030. The growth of the market is driven by the increasing demand for automation in defense, commercial, and industrial sectors.
Advancements in artificial intelligence, sensor technology, and real-time data processing are facilitating the development of highly efficient unmanned aerial, ground, and marine systems. Furthermore, rising defense budgets and the need for surveillance, reconnaissance, and border security are contributing to greater adoption in military applications. In the commercial sector, the increasing use of these systems in agriculture, logistics, and infrastructure inspection is broadening the market's reach. Collectively, these factors support a strong outlook for the market in the coming years.
The growing geopolitical tensions and cross-border conflicts are significantly driving demand for unmanned systems in defense applications. Governments are rapidly allocating budgets to develop autonomous aerial, ground, and underwater platforms for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations. As traditional combat strategies evolve, unmanned systems offer a low-risk and cost-effective alternative for high-risk missions. Major defense contractors are forming public-private partnerships to accelerate innovation. This increased investment acts as a primary catalyst for the unmanned systems industry's sustained growth.
There is a growing emphasis on autonomous surface and underwater vehicles for oceanographic research, seabed mapping, and naval operations. These systems reduce human exposure to deep-sea missions and enable prolonged underwater surveillance. Energy and offshore industries are increasingly using unmanned maritime platforms for pipeline inspection and environmental monitoring. Technological advances in underwater communication and propulsion systems are boosting reliability and endurance. As maritime applications expand, they represent a vital growth frontier for the unmanned systems industry.
The demand for extended operational range and reduced downtime is leading to innovations in power systems for unmanned platforms. Companies are investing in hybrid propulsion systems, solar integration, and battery optimization technologies. Efficient energy management is critical for long-endurance missions in remote or inaccessible areas. This trend is particularly relevant for drones used in environmental monitoring and disaster response. Advancements in energy solutions are enhancing operational viability and broadening market adoption across the unmanned systems industry.
Unmanned systems are increasingly leveraging edge computing to process vast volumes of data in real time without relying on cloud connectivity. This capability is critical in latency-sensitive scenarios such as surveillance, emergency response, and precision agriculture. Edge-enabled platforms can operate autonomously in bandwidth-constrained or denied environments. Integration with 5G networks further amplifies their ability to transmit and act on high-fidelity data streams. Edge computing is emerging as a cornerstone for scaling intelligent operations in the unmanned systems industry.
Global Unmanned Systems Market Report Segmentation
This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest technological trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global unmanned systems market report based on type, technology, application, and region:
- Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)
- Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
- Small UAVs
- Medium UAVs
- Large UAVs
- Unmanned Ground Vehicles
- Wheeled
- Tracked
- Legged
- Hybrid
- Unmanned Sea Vehicles
- Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs)
- Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs)
- Technology Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)
- Semi-Autonomous
- Remotely Operated
- Fully Autonomous
- Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)
- Military and Law Enforcement
- Commercial
- Others
- Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)
- North America
- Europe
- Asia Pacific
- China
- Japan
- India
- South Korea
- Australia
- Latin America
- Middle East & Africa
- Saudi Arabia
- UAE
- South Africa
Table of Contents
Chapter 1. Methodology and Scope
- 1.1. Market Segmentation and Scope
- 1.2. Market Definitions
- 1.2.1. Information analysis
- 1.2.2. Market formulation & data visualization
- 1.2.3. Data validation & publishing
- 1.3. Research Scope and Assumptions
- 1.3.1. List of Data Sources
Chapter 2. Executive Summary
- 2.1. Market Outlook
- 2.2. Segment Outlook
- 2.3. Competitive Insights
Chapter 3. Unmanned Systems Market Variables, Trends, & Scope
- 3.1. Market Lineage Outlook
- 3.2. Market Value Chain Analysis
- 3.3. Market Dynamics
- 3.3.1. Market Driver Analysis
- 3.3.2. Market Restraint Analysis
- 3.3.3. Market Opportunities
- 3.3.4. Market Challenges
- 3.4. Unmanned Systems Market Analysis Tools
- 3.4.1. Deployment Analysis - Porter's
- 3.4.1.1. Bargaining power of the suppliers
- 3.4.1.2. Bargaining power of the buyers
- 3.4.1.3. Threats of substitution
- 3.4.1.4. Threats from new entrants
- 3.4.1.5. Competitive rivalry
- 3.4.2. PESTEL Analysis
- 3.4.2.1. Political landscape
- 3.4.2.2. Economic landscape
- 3.4.2.3. Social landscape
- 3.4.2.4. Technological landscape
- 3.4.2.5. Environmental landscape
- 3.4.2.6. Legal landscape
Chapter 4. Unmanned Systems Market: Type Estimates & Trend Analysis
- 4.1. Segment Dashboard
- 4.2. Unmanned Systems Market: Type Movement Analysis, 2024 & 2030 USD Billion
- 4.3. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
- 4.3.1. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Market Revenue Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
- 4.3.1.1. Small UAVs
- 4.3.1.1.1. Small UAVs Market Revenue Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
- 4.3.1.2. Medium UAVs
- 4.3.1.2.1. Medium UAVs Market Revenue Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
- 4.3.1.3. Large UAVs
- 4.3.1.3.1. Large UAVs Market Revenue Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
- 4.4. Unmanned Ground Vehicles
- 4.4.1. Unmanned Ground Vehicles Market Revenue Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
- 4.4.1.1. Wheeled
- 4.4.1.1.1. Wheeled Market Revenue Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
- 4.4.1.2. Tracked
- 4.4.1.2.1. Tracked Market Revenue Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
- 4.4.1.3. Legged
- 4.4.1.3.1. Legged Market Revenue Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
- 4.4.1.4. Hybrid
- 4.4.1.4.1. Hybrid Market Revenue Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
- 4.5. Unmanned Sea Vehicles
- 4.5.1. Unmanned Sea Vehicles Market Revenue Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
- 4.5.1.1. Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs)
- 4.5.1.1.1. Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) Market Revenue Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
- 4.5.1.2. Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs)
- 4.5.1.2.1. Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) Market Revenue Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
Chapter 5. Unmanned Systems Market: Technology Estimates & Trend Analysis
- 5.1. Segment Dashboard
- 5.2. Unmanned Systems Market: Technology Movement Analysis, 2024 & 2030 USD Billion
- 5.3. Semi-Autonomous
- 5.3.1. Semi-Autonomous Market Revenue Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
- 5.4. Remotely Operated
- 5.4.1. Remotely Operated Market Revenue Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
- 5.5. Fully Operated
- 5.5.1. Fully Operated Market Revenue Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
Chapter 6. Unmanned Systems Market: Application Estimates & Trend Analysis
- 6.1. Segment Dashboard
- 6.2. Unmanned Systems Market: Application Movement Analysis, 2024 & 2030 USD Billion
- 6.3. Military and Law Enforcement
- 6.3.1. Military and Law Enforcement Market Revenue Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
- 6.4. Commercial
- 6.4.1. Commercial Market Revenue Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
- 6.5. Others
- 6.5.1. Others Market Revenue Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
Chapter 7. Regional Estimates & Trend Analysis
- 7.1. Unmanned Systems Market by Region, 2024 & 2030
- 7.2. North America
- 7.2.1. North America Unmanned Systems Market Estimates & Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
- 7.2.2. U.S.
- 7.2.2.1. U.S. Unmanned Systems Market Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
- 7.2.3. Canada
- 7.2.3.1. Canada Unmanned Systems Market Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
- 7.2.4. Mexico
- 7.2.4.1. Mexico Unmanned Systems Market Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
- 7.3. Europe
- 7.3.1. Europe Unmanned Systems Market Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
- 7.3.2. UK
- 7.3.2.1. UK Unmanned Systems Market Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
- 7.3.3. Germany
- 7.3.3.1. Germany Unmanned Systems Market Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
- 7.3.4. France
- 7.3.4.1. France Unmanned Systems Market Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
- 7.4. Asia Pacific
- 7.4.1. Asia Pacific Unmanned Systems Market Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
- 7.4.2. China
- 7.4.2.1. China Unmanned Systems Market Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
- 7.4.3. Japan
- 7.4.3.1. Japan Unmanned Systems Market Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
- 7.4.4. India
- 7.4.4.1. India Unmanned Systems Market Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
- 7.4.5. South Korea
- 7.4.5.1. South Korea Unmanned Systems Market Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
- 7.4.6. Australia
- 7.4.6.1. Australia Unmanned Systems Market Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
- 7.5. Latin America
- 7.5.1. Latin America Unmanned Systems Market Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
- 7.5.2. Brazil
- 7.5.2.1. Brazil Unmanned Systems Market Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
- 7.6. Middle East and Africa
- 7.6.1. Middle East and Africa Unmanned Systems Market Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
- 7.6.2. Saudi Arabia
- 7.6.2.1. Saudi Arabia Unmanned Systems Market Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
- 7.6.3. UAE
- 7.6.3.1. UAE Unmanned Systems Market Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
- 7.6.4. South Africa
- 7.6.4.1. South Africa Unmanned Systems Market Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
Chapter 8. Competitive Landscape
- 8.1. Company Categorization
- 8.2. Company Market Positioning
- 8.3. Company Heat Map Analysis
- 8.4. Company Profiles/Listing
- 8.4.1. Northrop Grumman
- 8.4.1.1. Participant's Overview
- 8.4.1.2. Financial Performance
- 8.4.1.3. Product Benchmarking
- 8.4.1.4. Strategic Initiatives
- 8.4.2. Lockheed Martin Corporation
- 8.4.2.1. Participant's Overview
- 8.4.2.2. Financial Performance
- 8.4.2.3. Product Benchmarking
- 8.4.2.4. Strategic Initiatives
- 8.4.3. Teledyne Technologies Inc.
- 8.4.3.1. Participant's Overview
- 8.4.3.2. Financial Performance
- 8.4.3.3. Product Benchmarking
- 8.4.3.4. Strategic Initiatives
- 8.4.4. BAE Systems
- 8.4.4.1. Participant's Overview
- 8.4.4.2. Financial Performance
- 8.4.4.3. Product Benchmarking
- 8.4.4.4. Strategic Initiatives
- 8.4.5. DJI
- 8.4.5.1. Participant's Overview
- 8.4.5.2. Financial Performance
- 8.4.5.3. Product Benchmarking
- 8.4.5.4. Strategic Initiatives
- 8.4.6. Thales
- 8.4.6.1. Participant's Overview
- 8.4.6.2. Financial Performance
- 8.4.6.3. Product Benchmarking
- 8.4.6.4. Strategic Initiatives
- 8.4.7. Israel Aerospace Industries
- 8.4.7.1. Participant's Overview
- 8.4.7.2. Financial Performance
- 8.4.7.3. Product Benchmarking
- 8.4.7.4. Strategic Initiatives
- 8.4.8. Boeing
- 8.4.8.1. Participant's Overview
- 8.4.8.2. Financial Performance
- 8.4.8.3. Product Benchmarking
- 8.4.8.4. Strategic Initiatives
- 8.4.9. General Dynamics Corporation
- 8.4.9.1. Participant's Overview
- 8.4.9.2. Financial Performance
- 8.4.9.3. Product Benchmarking
- 8.4.9.4. Strategic Initiatives
- 8.4.10. Textron Inc.
- 8.4.10.1. Participant's Overview
- 8.4.10.2. Financial Performance
- 8.4.10.3. Product Benchmarking
- 8.4.10.4. Strategic Initiatives
- 8.4.11. L3Harris Technologies Inc.
- 8.4.11.1. Participant's Overview
- 8.4.11.2. Financial Performance
- 8.4.11.3. Product Benchmarking
- 8.4.11.4. Strategic Initiatives
- 8.4.12. Elbit Systems Ltd.
- 8.4.12.1. Participant's Overview
- 8.4.12.2. Financial Performance
- 8.4.12.3. Product Benchmarking
- 8.4.12.4. Strategic Initiatives