Aerospace NDT Market Size and Share
Market Overview
| Study Period | 2019 - 2030 |
|---|---|
| Market Size (2025) | USD 1.20 Billion |
| Market Size (2030) | USD 1.81 Billion |
| Growth Rate (2025 - 2030) | 8.53% CAGR |
| Fastest Growing Market | Asia Pacific |
| Largest Market | North America |
| Market Concentration | Medium |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0. |
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Aerospace NDT Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence
The Aerospace NDT market size reached USD 1.20 billion in 2025 and is projected to expand at an 8.53% CAGR, reaching USD 1.81 billion by 2030. Fleet expansion programs, surging maintenance workloads, and the sector-wide embrace of predictive maintenance platforms anchor this growth trajectory. Aircraft makers accelerated output in 2024. Boeing handed over 528 jets and Airbus 735—thereby sustaining demand for rigorous inspection protocols that safeguard structural integrity throughout the product life-cycle.[1]Boeing Company, “Orders and Deliveries,” boeing.com Equipment currently leads procurement budgets, yet software adoption is rising as operators consolidate inspection records with analytics that anticipate component fatigue. Composite airframe penetration, stringent safety regulations, and the arrival of urban air mobility prototypes further widen the addressable inspection scope, rewarding providers that deliver AI-enabled, documentation-rich solutions. Competitive pressures increasingly favor vendors capable of blending hardware expertise with automated defect-recognition algorithms.
Key Report Takeaways
- By component, equipment captured 46.66% of the Aerospace NDT market share in 2024, while the software segment revenue is projected to climb at a 9.5% CAGR through 2030.
- By testing method, ultrasonic testing accounted for 32.8% of the Aerospace NDT market size in 2024; computed tomography is forecasted to grow at a 10.8% CAGR through 2030.
- By technique, traditional approaches commanded 80.7% of the Aerospace NDT market size in 2024, whereas AI-enabled solutions are advancing at a 9.1% CAGR.
- By geography, North America accounted for 38.9% of the Aerospace NDT market share in 2024; Asia-Pacific represents the fastest-growing region, expanding at a 9.4% CAGR through 2030.
Global Aerospace NDT Market Trends and Insights
Drivers Impact Analysis
| Driver | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Increasing passenger aircraft production | +2.1% | North America, Europe; global spillover | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Growing MRO demand | +1.8% | Asia-Pacific leadership; global scope | Long term (≥4 years) |
| Rising adoption of composite airframes | +1.5% | North America, Europe; widening to Asia-Pacific | Long term (≥4 years) |
| Stricter safety-quality assurance regulations | +1.2% | Worldwide; FAA and EASA stewardship | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Integration of predictive analytics | +1.0% | Early adoption in North America, Europe; global diffusion | Short term (≤2 years) |
| Expansion of urban air mobility prototypes | +0.9% | Pilot programs in North America, Europe; selective APAC locations | Long term (≥4 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
Increasing Passenger Aircraft Production
Boeing and Airbus together shipped more than 1,200 airframes in 2024, doubling post-pandemic lows and forcing production lines to embed high-throughput inspection systems that verify engine pylons, wing spars, and fuselage panels without slowing takt times. Automated phased-array robots now populate final-assembly stations, capturing repeatable scans that feed centralized defect libraries. Documentation burdens under AS9100 require manufacturers to associate every ultrasonic reading with specific part serial numbers, thereby driving incremental software demand for digital traceability. Equipment vendors offering inline robotics paired with analytics dashboards have seen order pipelines tighten, while legacy manual workflows struggle to scale at current build rates.
Growing Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Demand
Commercial fleets averaged 12.8 years of service in 2025, a life cycle that magnifies structural fatigue risk and inflates heavy-check workloads.[2]International Air Transport Association, “MRO Programs,” iata.org Airlines prolong the lives of their assets to counterbalance the capital-intensive replacement cycles of narrow-body aircraft, thereby enlarging the installed base of aging airframes that require periodic eddy-current and radiographic evaluations. Asia-Pacific facilities, from Guangzhou to Hyderabad, are tripling their hangar capacity, creating a neighborhood demand for equipment rentals, inspector training, and supply chains for consumables. Predictive analytics platforms now fuse flight-load data with non-destructive test histories, enabling engineering teams to defer or accelerate checks based on real-world stress cycles. Providers that bundle sensors, analytics, and field-service training secure multi-year framework contracts amid this MRO up-cycle.
Rising Adoption of Composite Airframes
Carbon-fiber reinforced structures dominate roughly 50% of the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 airframes, shifting defect-detection priorities from corrosion to delamination.[3]Federal Aviation Administration, “Design Approvals Publications,” faa.gov Pulse-echo ultrasonics and high-energy computed tomography have become indispensable, as resin-rich pockets and impact-induced fiber breaks evade legacy magnetic particle or liquid penetrant techniques. Composite repairs also require post-cure verification, which spurs sales of portable phased-array devices calibrated for anisotropic materials. Training syllabi now emphasize signal interpretation in multi-layer laminate stacks, a skillset scarce among incumbent inspectors. Vendors capable of delivering turnkey composite solutions encompassing hardware, simulation software, and refresher courses capture and require post-cure verification, which spurs a sizable wallet share.
Stricter Safety-Quality Assurance Regulations
After several fatigue-related incidents, the FAA and EASA toughened directives governing inspection frequency and documentation, compelling airlines and MROs to invest in traceable digital workflows. ISO 9712 and EN 4179 provisions now require recertification audits that verify calibration logs, scan files, and the credentials of inspectors. Compliance has accelerated the adoption of cloud-based repositories that store raw image stacks alongside interpreted results, simplifying regulator access. Hardware suppliers that can encrypt data at the source and export secure manifests position themselves as partners rather than vendors, thereby mitigating cybersecurity anxieties shared by defense operators.
Restraints Impact Analysis
| Restraint | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| High capital cost of advanced NDT equipment | -1.4% | Emerging markets feel constraints acutely | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Shortage of Level III certified inspectors | -1.1% | Global; severe in Asia-Pacific, Middle East | Long term (≥4 years) |
| Data-security concerns in cloud tools | -0.8% | Worldwide; sharp focus in defense programs | Short term (≤2 years) |
| Limited standards for additive parts | -0.6% | Early adoption in North America, Europe | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
High Capital Cost of Advanced NDT Equipment
Turnkey phased-array and CT installations frequently exceed USD 500,000, straining the budgets of regional MROs and launch-phase eVTOL manufacturers. Financing hurdles intensify in economies where lenders lack technical valuation frameworks, postponing upgrade cycles. Vendors are now piloting rental pools and usage-based subscription models that shift investments from CapEx to OpEx; however, hardware refresh rates remain slower outside tier-one hubs.
Shortage of Level III Certified Inspectors
The American Society for Nondestructive Testing estimates a 40% global shortfall in Level III talent as senior specialists retire faster than training pipelines replenish. Regulatory mandates require Level III oversight for critical tasks, bottlenecking capacity even as backlogs swell. Remote-verification platforms and AI-assisted interpretation aim to lower the reliance on human expertise, but full regulatory acceptance lags, prolonging the skills gap.
Segment Analysis
By Component: Equipment Dominance Faces Software Disruption
In 2024, precision scanners, phased-array probes, and high-energy CT machines accounted for 46.66% of the Aerospace NDT market size, underscoring the hardware-centric purchasing approach that has historically defined inspection budgets. Average ticket prices of USD 300,000-500,000 per platform underscore high barriers to entry and long depreciation schedules that stabilize incumbent revenues. Software, however, is scaling faster; its 9.5% CAGR signals a pivot toward cloud dashboards that mine historical scans for predictive signatures. By 2030, analytics subscriptions could dilute hardware’s revenue share as SaaS fees compound annually.
Software vendors leverage low entry costs to seed installations across mixed OEM fleets, monetizing via per-scan or per-aircraft licenses. This asset-light model appeals to regional MROs that are locked out of top-tier hardware purchases. Service contracts hold steady as airlines outsource periodic inspections, while consumables supply recurring cash flow linked directly to test frequency, cushioning revenue during hardware down-cycles. The interplay of high upfront equipment outlays and modest but compounding software fees is reshaping lifetime-value calculations across the Aerospace NDT market.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
By Testing Method: Ultrasonic Leadership Challenged by Computed Tomography Innovation
Ultrasonic technology contributed 32.8% to the Aerospace NDT market share in 2024, reflecting its versatility on metallic and composite assemblies. Portable phased-array probes now integrate AI recognition that flags signal anomalies in real-time, reducing inspection time per component. Computed tomography races ahead at a 10.8% CAGR, as OEMs rely on 3D volumetric insight to validate bonded joints and complex composite layups that evade two-dimensional modalities.
Radiographic, eddy-current, thermography, and acoustic-emission techniques occupy niche roles tied to specific material properties or defect morphologies. Regulatory momentum favors CT for critical composites, forcing MROs to weigh seven-figure investments or outsource jobs to specialized labs. Suppliers bundling CT hardware with dose-optimization software and operator-certification courses stand to accelerate penetration.
By Technique: AI-Enabled Methods Disrupt Traditional Approaches
Conventional methodologies still account for 80.7% of the Aerospace NDT market size, a testament to their decades of proven reliability and entrenched certification schemes. Yet, AI-assisted platforms post a 9.1% CAGR, as image-classification neural networks outperform human eyes in signal-to-noise differentiation.
Early-stage pilots demonstrate 20-40% cycle-time reductions, creating cost avoidance that offsets software license fees. Regulators demand rigorous proof of equivalency, so vendors pair AI outputs with human cross-checks during transition phases, thereby easing adoption risk.
Geography Analysis
North America retained 38.9% of the Aerospace NDT market share in 2024, buoyed by Boeing’s production hubs and dense MRO corridors stretching from Seattle to Miami. Federal Aviation Administration directives prescribe exhaustive inspection routines for aging fleets, prompting airlines to refresh equipment arsenals and expand digital record systems. The region also pioneers predictive analytics integrations that feed maintenance-scheduling engines, driving incremental software spend.
Asia-Pacific posts the fastest trajectory at 9.4% CAGR, energized by China’s narrow-body manufacturing ramp and India’s government-backed MRO incentives. Guangzhou, Hyderabad, and Singapore have emerged as inspection hubs where AI-enabled platforms leapfrog legacy infrastructure gaps. Talent shortages remain acute, however, nudging stakeholders to adopt remote-verification services that connect on-site technicians with off-shore Level III experts via encrypted links.
Europe sustains mid-single-digit growth, anchored by Airbus assembly lines in Toulouse and Hamburg, alongside mature supply chains that serve both civil and defense programs. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency enforces stringent data-retention mandates, accelerating SaaS adoption that automates compliance reporting. Middle Eastern carriers channel petro-dollar capital into hangar complexes in Dubai and Doha, vying to capture long-haul layover maintenance; yet, inspector shortages and high equipment costs cap immediate expansion. South America and Africa remain nascent, with sporadic upgrades tied to government-funded safety drives.
Competitive Landscape
The Aerospace NDT market remains moderately fragmented, with the top five suppliers accounting for approximately 55% of the market share, leaving a long tail of regional distributors, rental houses, and specialist software firms. Baker Hughes, GE Aviation NDT Solutions, Olympus Corporation, and Evident (now part of Wabtec) maintain depth across ultrasonic, CT, and phased-array portfolios.[4]Railway Age, “Wabtec to Acquire Evident for $1.78 Billion,” railwayage.com Their entrenched channel networks and bundled training services constitute durable moats. Nonetheless, venture-backed software entrants such as Vibrant Corporation gain traction by offering AI diagnostics that can be retrofitted onto incumbent hardware, compelling legacy leaders to accelerate their digital roadmaps.
Acquisition activity intensifies: Wabtec’s USD 1.78 billion purchase of Evident in 2024 realigned competitive contours by merging rolling-stock and aerospace NDT assets under one analytics-centric umbrella. Baker Hughes invested USD 45 million in a Houston R&D campus to accelerate the development of AI-enabled phased-array probes, while GE Aviation launched the Digital Inspector suite, which integrates inspection imagery with fleet health dashboards. Mid-tier players are pursuing rental pools and training academies to secure downstream customer relationships as hardware margins compress.
Patent filings in automated defect recognition surged 18% YoY in 2024, signaling an arms race to secure data-science talent and proprietary image libraries. Supply-chain partnerships with cloud providers, cybersecurity auditors, and universities underpin technology pipelines. In parallel, standards bodies are drafting frameworks for AI result validation, a development that is likely to advantage early movers who have embedded explainability features into their algorithms.
Aerospace NDT Industry Leaders
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Baker Hughes Company
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Mistras Group Inc.
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SGS SA
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Intertek Group plc
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Applus Services SA
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Recent Industry Developments
- September 2025: Boeing introduced stricter ultrasonic inspections for 737 MAX wing-to-fuselage joints after new FAA directives, adding work for roughly 4,000 aircraft worldwide.
- August 2025: Airbus initiated its Digital NDT Initiative in Toulouse, Hamburg, and Mobile, utilizing machine-learning tools to reduce inspection time by 30% and enhance defect-detection accuracy.
- July 2025: GE Aviation NDT Solutions won a USD 85 million multi-year deal with major North American MRO providers to roll out predictive analytics platforms that streamline maintenance planning.
- July 2025: The Federal Aviation Administration released Advisory Circular AC 43.13-1C, outlining certification paths for AI-enabled NDT systems while maintaining human review for critical parts.
- May 2025: Olympus committed USD 40 million to develop portable computed tomography units tailored for eVTOL composite inspections, supporting emerging urban air mobility certification needs.
Global Aerospace NDT Market Report Scope
Non-destructive testing (NDT) is a broad group of analysis techniques used in the science and technology industry to evaluate the properties of a material, component, or system without causing damage. NDT is essential to the design, production, and maintenance of aircraft in the aerospace sector. It is the most precise method for testing aircraft materials and parts without causing any damage.
Non-destructive Testing (NDT) in the aerospace and defense market is segmented by type (service, equipment), technology (radiography testing, ultrasonic testing, magnetic particle testing, and electromagnetic testing, liquid penetrant testing, visual inspection, eddy current), and geography (North America, Europe , Asia Pacific, Latin America), Middle East & Africa ). The market sizes and forecasts are provided in terms of value in USD for all the above segments.
| Equipment |
| Software |
| Services |
| Consumables |
| Ultrasonic Testing |
| Radiographic Testing |
| Magnetic Particle Testing |
| Liquid Penetrant Testing |
| Visual Inspection Testing |
| Eddy-Current Testing |
| Acoustic Emission Testing |
| Thermography / Infrared Testing |
| Computed Tomography Testing |
| Traditional / Conventional |
| AI-enabled |
| North America | United States |
| Canada | |
| Mexico | |
| South America | Brazil |
| Argentina | |
| Rest of South America | |
| Europe | Germany |
| United Kingdom | |
| France | |
| Italy | |
| Spain | |
| Rest of Europe | |
| Asia Pacific | China |
| Japan | |
| India | |
| South Korea | |
| South-East Asia | |
| Rest of Asia Pacific | |
| Middle East | Saudi Arabia |
| United Arab Emirates | |
| Turkey | |
| Rest of Middle East | |
| Africa | South Africa |
| Nigeria | |
| Rest of Africa |
| By Component | Equipment | |
| Software | ||
| Services | ||
| Consumables | ||
| By Testing Method | Ultrasonic Testing | |
| Radiographic Testing | ||
| Magnetic Particle Testing | ||
| Liquid Penetrant Testing | ||
| Visual Inspection Testing | ||
| Eddy-Current Testing | ||
| Acoustic Emission Testing | ||
| Thermography / Infrared Testing | ||
| Computed Tomography Testing | ||
| By Technique | Traditional / Conventional | |
| AI-enabled | ||
| By Geography | North America | United States |
| Canada | ||
| Mexico | ||
| South America | Brazil | |
| Argentina | ||
| Rest of South America | ||
| Europe | Germany | |
| United Kingdom | ||
| France | ||
| Italy | ||
| Spain | ||
| Rest of Europe | ||
| Asia Pacific | China | |
| Japan | ||
| India | ||
| South Korea | ||
| South-East Asia | ||
| Rest of Asia Pacific | ||
| Middle East | Saudi Arabia | |
| United Arab Emirates | ||
| Turkey | ||
| Rest of Middle East | ||
| Africa | South Africa | |
| Nigeria | ||
| Rest of Africa | ||
Key Questions Answered in the Report
How large is the Aerospace NDT market in 2025?
The Aerospace NDT market size stands at USD 1.20 billion in 2025.
What CAGR is expected for Aerospace NDT through 2030?
Revenue is projected to rise at an 8.53% CAGR between 2025 and 2030.
Which component segment is expanding the fastest?
Software solutions are growing at a 9.5% CAGR as operators migrate to analytics-driven inspection workflows.
Why is Asia-Pacific the quickest-growing region?
Fleet expansion, domestic aircraft production, and new MRO facilities push Asia-Pacific demand at a 9.4% CAGR.
What is the main technological shift shaping inspection methods?
AI-enabled analytics are augmenting traditional techniques, cutting inspection time and improving defect detection accuracy.
Which testing method shows the highest growth rate?
Computed tomography leads with a projected 10.8% CAGR due to its 3D visualization capabilities for composite parts.
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