Aircraft Autopilot System Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2021 - 2026)

Market Overview

The aircraft autopilot system market is poised to register a CAGR of above 5% during the forecast period, 2020 - 2025. An autopilot system is used to automate the process of guiding and controlling the aircraft. A typical autopilot system can automate multiple tasks, such as attitude and altitude maintenance, rate of climb and descent, and course interception and guidance. 

• The market is driven by the enhanced safety requirements of the aviation industry. The advent of the fly-by-wire (FBW) concept necessitates the integration of advanced flight computers onboard an aircraft. Furthermore, to ensure optimal safety levels and enhance the situational awareness of the pilots, the global aviation regulatory agencies have mandated the installation of an autopilot system, in conjunction with the flight director system.
• The development of advanced aircraft capable of automated flights is driving the ongoing R&D aspect for aircraft autopilot systems and is anticipated to enhance the business prospects of the market players once the technology is fully developed and becomes commercially feasible.

Scope of the Report

To provide a comprehensive outlook, the aircraft autopilot system market encompasses the different companies that offer both autopilot and flight director software and hardware components. Market estimates are based on line-fit installations of autopilot systems in the cockpit of new generation aircraft being procured by airline operators around the world and do not include retrofitting of old generation aircraft. Furthermore, the report does not take unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) into account but considers rotorcraft and experimental demonstrators, such as NASA X-57.

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Key Market Trends

Demand for New Aircraft Driving Market Prospects

During 2013-2018, the global air passenger traffic grew by 38.88%. To address the passenger traffic growth, airline operators have initiated procurement drives for new generation aircraft. Around 1,830 new commercial aircraft were delivered globally during 2018. The dominant aviation regulatory agencies, such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), have mandated the installation of autopilot systems in commercial aircraft to address several safety concerns.

Military powerhouses, such as the United States and China, are focusing on expanding their military aircraft fleet to gain a technological edge over their rival forces. While numerous military aircraft prototypes are being developed, several military procurement programs are currently underway to cater to the global demand for military aircraft. Military fighter aircraft manufacturers are trying to enhance their production capabilities to ensure timely deliveries. The F-35 JSF program is one of the most successful military fighter programs ever. Since the F-35 JSF program constitutes around 25% of Lockheed Martin Corporation's annual revenue, the company envisions to enhance its F-35 JSF production capacity from 131 aircraft in 2019 to 149 in 2020 and 169 from 2021. The F-35 JSF features an electro-hydrostatic flight control actuation system from Moog Inc., while the actuators are supplied by Parker Hannifin Corp. Therefore, the demand for new aircraft would subsequently create a parallel demand for autopilot systems.

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