Helicopter Ice Protection Systems Market Size
| Study Period | 2019 - 2030 |
| Base Year For Estimation | 2024 |
| Forecast Data Period | 2025 - 2030 |
| CAGR | 4.49% |
| Fastest Growing Market | Asia Pacific |
| Largest Market | North America |
| Market Concentration | High |
Major Players*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
Helicopter Ice Protection Systems Market Analysis
The Helicopter Ice Protection Systems Market is expected to register a CAGR of 4.49% during the forecast period.
- The architecture of a helicopter makes it vulnerable to the detrimental effects of ice formation on the exposed surfaces of the rotorcraft, such as engine inlets, rotor hubs, and rotor blades. The integration of an ice-protection system onboard a helicopter facilitates the all-weather operation of the rotorcraft. To develop high-performance, all-weather helicopters, the integration of ice-protection systems is anticipated to increase during the forecast period.
- The weight of the components of a helicopter ice-protection system limits the integration of such systems in small helicopters. Furthermore, unlike aircraft ice-protection systems, helicopter ice-protection systems are generally not included as standard fitment, thereby limiting adoption. Manufacturers are currently testing the feasibility of emerging technologies such as electrical de-icing systems and electro-thermal and electro-impulse technologies in helicopter ice-protection systems. The R&D efforts are thus anticipated to drive a significant technological disruption in the market.
Helicopter Ice Protection Systems Market Trends
Increasing Demand for High-Performance Commercial Helicopters
- The demand for civil helicopters has been on the rise gradually due to the rapid deregulation and increased flow of investment toward the development of the required infrastructure. Besides, helicopter manufacturers are investing significantly in R&D to develop advanced helicopters. Since the new generation of helicopters is required to fulfill the all-weather operational requirements of end-users, the helicopters are being integrated with advanced subsystems, such as high-performance engines, composite blades, and electric ice protection systems, to enhance their operational parameters.
- For instance, in May 2023, Air Corporate (Italy) gave the contract for 43 Airbus helicopters to Airbus. This contract represents Airbus's biggest aircraft order in Italy, which means that over the next few years, it will deliver helicopters for a number of private and corporate passenger services as well as utility operations. The helicopters include 40 single-engine helicopters (H125/H130) plus three ACH160s from Airbus Corporate Helicopters.
Fleet Expansion Initiatives in Asia-Pacific will Drive the Market Growth During the Forecast Period
- The inherent ability for performing vertical take-off (VTOL), hovering for extended periods, and efficient handling at lower speeds have diversified the application profile of helicopters, encompassing a broad range of missions, including air ambulance, power line inspections, crop control, life maintenance operation, and rescue operations. Thus, the high modularity and flexibility offered by helicopters have encouraged their deployment by regional operators.
- For instance, in April 2023, Airbus Helicopters was awarded contracts for 50 H160 helicopters from GDAT, one of the largest helicopter leasing and operator companies in China. This contract represents the largest single order for H160 on the civil and public markets. In order to make H160 a long-lasting success in the Asia Pacific region, the companies also signed an Agreement on Strategic Cooperation covering topics like support and services capabilities, among others. Similarly, in January 2023, Australia confirmed that it would buy 40 Black Hawk military helicopters from the US at an estimated price of USD 1.96 billion, concluding a deal approved by the US State Department last August. The Lockheed Martin UH-60M Black Hawks will replace the Army's fleet of MRH-90 Taipan choppers. This year, the delivery of new helicopters begins. The UH-60M main rotor blade is equipped with a rotor ice protection system (RIPS).
Helicopter Ice Protection Systems Industry Overview
The helicopter ice-protection systems market is marked by the presence of a few dominant players and is thereby anticipated to witness highly competitive rivalry in terms of technological innovations for integration into new variants of helicopters. The market is highly susceptible to macroeconomic factors that affect the demand for helicopters, and a sudden change in market dynamics is expected to affect the total supply chain. Thus, the market incumbents, namely Leonardo S.p.A., Melrose Industries PLC, Meggitt PLC, and Curtiss-Wright Corporation, are required to adopt a powerful competitive strategy characterized by a strong emphasis on R&D to enhance their market dominance.
For instance, Collins Aerospace is a recognized leader in ice detection systems for all-weather aircraft operations. Collins Aerospace vibrating probe ice detectors are FAA certified for primary ice detection use on commercial transport airplanes. A version of Collins Aerospace's magneto-restrictive technology is specifically tailored for use in rotor ice protection systems (RIPS) for helicopters, providing liquid water content information to modulate the ice protection based on the severity of the icing encounter. RIPS offers flexible, robust designs to detect ice in a wide range of icing environments. Similarly, Leonardo's Full Ice Protection System (FIPS) has proved itself an outstanding enabler of all-weather helicopter flying, having undertaken more than 20,000 flight hours during the past five years.
Moreover, In January 2023, Heli-One, a leading provider of helicopter maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services, was contracted by Leonardo to support the fleet of AW101 SAR Queen helicopters operated by the Royal Norwegian Air Force. Personnel from Heli-One's Stavanger facility will be working with Leonardo staff to perform line maintenance, increasing the amount of trained personnel available to support the new fleet.
Helicopter Ice Protection Systems Market Leaders
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Leonardo S.p.A.
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Curtiss-Wright Corporation
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Meggitt PLC
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Melrose Industries PLC
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Cox & Company, Inc.
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Helicopter Ice Protection Systems Market News
December 2022: The Norwegian AW101 All-Weather Search and Rescue helicopter (NAWSARH), built by Leonardo, undertook trials in the United States to demonstrate the AW101 take-off and landing capability at high altitudes. The aircraft then successfully completed an epic journey across the North Atlantic to return to the UK across mountains, high seas, storm clouds, ice, and snow. The aircraft was equipped with Rotor Ice Protection and other anti-icing systems checked out in the days before departure.
December 2022: Leonardo announced that Bristow Group Inc. signed a contract to procure six AW139 intermediate twin-engine helicopters to support the Second-Generation Search and Rescue Aviation program by the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). Aircraft deliveries are planned to be completed in 2024, joining an existing fleet of nine AW189 helicopters. These AW139s will feature a Limited Ice Protection System (LIPS) to deliver even greater mission capability in demanding weather conditions.
Helicopter Ice Protection Systems Industry Segmentation
Ice protection systems ensure that there is no accumulation of atmospheric moisture on aircraft surfaces, such as wings, propellers, rotors, engine intakes, and environmental controls. An anti-icing, de-icing, or ice protection system either forms of ice or enables the aircraft to shed the ice before it becomes dangerous. The helicopter ice-protection systems market considers the different companies that offer major components of ice-protection systems to provide a comprehensive qualitative outlook. Market estimates are based on new helicopter deliveries and do not include aftermarket sales of individual components and subsystems.
The helicopter ice protection systems market is segmented by type, end-user, and geography. The helicopter ice protection systems market is segmented by type into full ice protection, and limited ice protection. By End-user, the market is segmented into military helicopters and civil helicopters. By geography, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa.
The market sizing and forecasts for all the segments have been provided in value (USD).
| Type | Full Ice-Protection | ||
| Limited Ice-Protection | |||
| End-user | Military Helicopters | ||
| Civil Helicopters | |||
| Geography | North America | United States | |
| Canada | |||
| Europe | Germany | ||
| United Kingdom | |||
| France | |||
| Italy | |||
| Russia | |||
| Rest of Europe | |||
| Asia Pacific | China | ||
| India | |||
| Japan | |||
| South Korea | |||
| Australia | |||
| Rest of Asia-Pacific | |||
| Latin America | Brazil | ||
| Mexico | |||
| Rest of Latin America | |||
| Middle East and Africa | United Arab Emirates | ||
| Saudi Arabia | |||
| Egypt | |||
| South Africa | |||
| Rest of Middle East and Africa | |||
| Full Ice-Protection |
| Limited Ice-Protection |
| Military Helicopters |
| Civil Helicopters |
| North America | United States |
| Canada | |
| Europe | Germany |
| United Kingdom | |
| France | |
| Italy | |
| Russia | |
| Rest of Europe | |
| Asia Pacific | China |
| India | |
| Japan | |
| South Korea | |
| Australia | |
| Rest of Asia-Pacific | |
| Latin America | Brazil |
| Mexico | |
| Rest of Latin America | |
| Middle East and Africa | United Arab Emirates |
| Saudi Arabia | |
| Egypt | |
| South Africa | |
| Rest of Middle East and Africa |
Helicopter Ice-Protection Systems Market Research FAQs
What is the current Helicopter Ice Protection Systems Market size?
The Helicopter Ice Protection Systems Market is projected to register a CAGR of 4.49% during the forecast period (2025-2030)
Who are the key players in Helicopter Ice Protection Systems Market?
Leonardo S.p.A., Curtiss-Wright Corporation, Meggitt PLC, Melrose Industries PLC and Cox & Company, Inc. are the major companies operating in the Helicopter Ice Protection Systems Market.
Which is the fastest growing region in Helicopter Ice Protection Systems Market?
Asia Pacific is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period (2025-2030).
Which region has the biggest share in Helicopter Ice Protection Systems Market?
In 2025, the North America accounts for the largest market share in Helicopter Ice Protection Systems Market.
What years does this Helicopter Ice Protection Systems Market cover?
The report covers the Helicopter Ice Protection Systems Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the Helicopter Ice Protection Systems Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
Page last updated on: August 28, 2023
Helicopter Ice Protection Systems Industry Report
Statistics for the 2025 Helicopter Ice Protection Systems market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligenceâ„¢ Industry Reports. Helicopter Ice Protection Systems analysis includes a market forecast outlook for 2025 to 2030 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
