WinterGreen Research announces that it has a new study on unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) markets grow as the military realizes these airplanes provide a less expensive way to provide defense and deterrent. These markets are poised to grow based on the creation of new services efficiencies that accrue from improved technologies. New composite materials systems are achieving consistent price declines throughout the forecast period.
The 2011 study has 791 pages and 256 tables and figures. Worldwide markets are poised to achieve significant growth as governments worldwide move to implement more cost efficient military systems and weapons delivery modalities. Vendors are building out localized distribution networks that support a UAS system in a local environment, providing remote control of airplanes.
Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) are achieving a level of relatively early maturity. Fleets of unmanned aircraft systems have begun to evolve. The U.S. Army has achieved one million flight hours for its unmanned aircraft systems fleet.
Unmanned aerial systems have good handling characteristics. Units are designed to perform high-speed, long-endurance, more covert, multi-mission intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and precision-strike missions over land or sea.
Units feature a variety of internal weapons loads, including 2,000 lb Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), an Electro-optical/Infrared (EO/IR) sensor, and an all-weather GA-ASI Lynx® Synthetic Aperture Radar/Ground Moving Target Indicator (SAR/GMTI), maximizing both long loiter ISR and weapons carriage capabilities.
Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) offer the war fighter persistent situational awareness and strike mission affordability. For the cost of one manned fighter aircraft, multiple-swarm configured units can cover an area of interest, providing 24/7 ISR coverage, target identification, neutralization, mission flexibility, and attrition tolerance. Some UAS have the capability to perform manned aircraft missions.
Northrop Grumman Corp, maker of the high-altitude Global Hawk, and privately held General Atomics, which makes the Predator and Warrior unmanned planes are the market leaders in unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
According to Susan Eustis, primary author of the study, "growth is spurred by increasing interest from military planning departments. The military is moving toward embracing unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) because of the increased intelligence capability and deterrent efficiency combined. The versatility of single aircraft, and the ability to use multiple inexpensive aircraft for different purposes is a formidable and compelling market driver."
Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) markets at $2.5 billion in 2010 are forecast to reach $7 billion dollars, worldwide by 2017. US UAS aircraft have flown one million miles over the last four years and are set to fly one million more in the next year. The pace of utilization is picking up as the military realizes that UAS are significantly more efficient than manned aircraft in every way.
Units will be used by all branches of the military and intelligence community. Market growth of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) markets is a result of units that can fly longer,, see better, provide more useful imaging, put better sensor packages in place, achieve better maneuverability, and implement new technology. The improved control units that permit handlers to work remotely also improves systems capability. Units more easily portable, more battery technology permits the ability for systems to stay in the air longer. New systems permit refueling in the air.