What's Stoking Growth Opportunities for Interoperable Tech in US Unmanned Aircraft Systems?
September 22, 2016 | Frost & SullivanEstimated reading time: 2 minutes

The budget-constrained US military is looking to minimize training requirements by channeling funds toward platform upgrades and autonomy. One of the biggest gainers of this change in spending trends will be the unmanned aerial systems (UAS) segment. The US Air Force (AF) is keen to upgrade its UAS programs by deploying an open architecture, ensuring standards-based modularity to enable plug and play sensors and implementing quick hardware and software upgrades. The AF has made a case for a new MQ-X to replace the MQ-1/9 fleet but the budget will not allow for a new-start MALE UAS program. Therefore, it is focusing on the less expensive sensors and platforms such as those in the MQ-9 extended range (ER) aircraft.
US Military Unmanned Aircraft Market is an analysis from Frost & Sullivan that is part of the Defense Growth Partnership Service program, which also includes subjects such as security, training and simulation, missiles, C4ISR and defense contractors. Despite the unpredictable budget, UAS market revenues that stood at $4.18 billion in 2015 are expected to grow to $6.25 billion in 2021 at a CAGR of 6.9 percent.
“Both the Army and US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) are seeking more expeditionary UAS that do not require prepared surfaces for launch and recovery,” said Frost & Sullivan Aerospace & Defense Senior Industry Analyst Michael Blades. “This is likely to result in the acquisition of a vertical takeoff and land (VTOL) platform and possibly, hybrid platforms that transition to flying like a fixed-wing aircraft.”
Meanwhile, the AF’s RQ-4 Global Hawk program will increase its upgrade spending from $32.0 million in 2017 to $155.7 million in 2021. The spending will be aimed at integrating and testing the senior year electro-optical reconnaissance system (SYERS-2), which is the payload flown on U-2 reconnaissance planes.
Significantly, military services are demanding smaller, more autonomous platforms with longer endurance and multi-mission sensor suites that will reduce the overall manpower costs. This is stoking opportunities in technology areas such as automated processing, exploitation and dissemination (PED) of sensor data, platform endurance, battery energy densities and link security.
“Defense companies need to sign strategic mergers and acquisitions with companies in overlapping markets to enhance their abilities to manufacture and upgrade platforms,” noted Blades. “They can also make the most of the market demand for technologically advanced UAS by developing subsystem hardware and software, automating flight operations and PED, and integrating modular sensors and sensor suites.”
About Frost & Sullivan
Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants.
Suggested Items
S&K Aerospace Awarded Major Contract Under DLA Maritime Acquisition Advancement Program
07/02/2025 | BUSINESS WIRES&K Aerospace, LLC has been awarded a significant contract under the Defense Logistics Agency’s (DLA) Maritime Acquisition Advancement Program, managed by the U.S. Naval Supply Command - Weapon Systems Support (NAVSUP WSS) in Mechanicsburg, PA.
Green Circuits to Exhibit Full-Service Electronics Manufacturing Solutions at 2025 SMD Symposium
07/02/2025 | Green CircuitsGreen Circuits, a full-service Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) partner to leading OEMs, is pleased to announce its participation in the 2025 SMD Symposium, taking place August 5-7 at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
06/27/2025 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007While news outside our industry keeps our attention occupied, the big news inside the industry is the rechristening of IPC as the Global Electronics Association. My must-reads begins with Marcy LaRont’s exclusive and informative interview with Dr. John Mitchell, president and CEO of the Global Electronics Association. For designers, have we finally reached the point in time where autorouters will fulfill their potential?
Knocking Down the Bone Pile: Tin Whisker Mitigation in Aerospace Applications, Part 3
06/25/2025 | Nash Bell -- Column: Knocking Down the Bone PileTin whiskers are slender, hair-like metallic growths that can develop on the surface of tin-plated electronic components. Typically measuring a few micrometers in diameter and growing several millimeters in length, they form through an electrochemical process influenced by environmental factors such as temperature variations, mechanical or compressive stress, and the aging of solder alloys.
RTX, the Singapore Economic Development Board Sign MOU Outlining 10-year Growth Roadmap
06/20/2025 | RTXRTX and the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which outlines a 10-year roadmap to further long-term strategic collaboration in Singapore.