As the Military, Various Sectors Embrace Autonomous Helicopters, Sourcing for Aerospace Contract Manufacturing Is Up 107% YoY

Christian Cavallo Mar 24, 2023

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Welcome to this week’s edition of the Thomas Index Report.

The helicopter is an essential piece of equipment for many industries, and in this Thomas Index Report, we’re exploring how helicopter innovations are expanding opportunities for aerospace manufacturing.

As wireless technologies advance, unmanned helicopters are gaining traction in the industry due to their increased safety and flexibility. According to a 2023 Visiongain report, the global market for unmanned helicopters reached $6 billion in 2022 and is expected to compound by 12% per year in the next decade.

One of the most notable use cases for unmanned helicopters is in military applications. For example, the MQ-8C Fire Scout, manufactured by Northrop Grumman, is an unmanned helicopter that can fly, take off, and land with complete autonomy. It has the ability to fly 150 nautical miles carrying a payload capacity of over 700 pounds, and is currently serving in the U.S. Navy as a transport and intelligence-gathering vehicle.

Beyond the military, unmanned helicopters are also being used in the agriculture sector. Yamaha Corporation created a series of small unmanned industrial helicopters to be used as crop dusters. Capable of automatic navigation, obstacle detection, remote control, and observation, these unmanned helicopters help increase productivity and decrease exposure to pesticides on farms.

The unmanned helicopter is also entering the logistics space. By 2025, Kaman Corporation will release their Kargo UAV, an unmanned quadcopter capable of carrying an 800-pound payload for hundreds of miles. Built as an all-purpose “wagon” style drone, the Kargo will be used by the U.S. military and by commercial companies to supplement middle and last-mile deliveries.

Thomasnet.com’s sourcing data shows a 107% year-over-year increase in aerospace contract manufacturing sourcing and a 129% increase in helicopter parts and accessories sourcing quarter-over-quarter. These sourcing trends suggest sectors are recognizing the endless applications for autonomous helicopters.

As unmanned helicopters augment our eyes in the sky, we expect aerospace manufacturers to bring their fabrication expertise to consumer markets.

I’m Anna Wells, and this is the Thomas Index Report.