Fixed-wing VTOL UAV Global Market Report 2025

The fixed-wing vtol uav market size has grown exponentially in recent years. It will grow from $1.46 billion in 2024 to $1.79 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to wide-scale use in civil and commercial applications, the growing number of applications, and rise in the use of fixed-wing VTOL UAVs for the military, the rise in government investment, the need for safe and accurate inspection and monitoring.

The fixed-wing vtol uav market size is expected to see exponential growth in the next few years. It will grow to $4.08 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rise in advanced patrolling of marine borders, rapid industrial developments, increased the demand for automation in various industries, increased foreign investments, increased transfer of technologies related to fixed-wing VTOL UAV platforms. Major trends in the forecast period include technological advancements, product innovations, increased deployment to carry out aerial remote sensing, emerging applications of UAVs in the commercial sector, rise in R&D for new and advanced technology.

The forecast of 22.9% growth over the next five years reflects a modest reduction of 0.3% from the previous estimate for this market.This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. This is likely to directly affect the US through increased import duties on transition mechanism actuators from Germany and Italy, raising expenses for hybrid drone development.The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.

The expanding military and defense applications are anticipated to drive the growth of the fixed-wing VTOL UAV market in the coming years. Military and defense refer to the strategies, organizations, technologies, and actions aimed at safeguarding a nation's sovereignty, interests, and citizens from external threats. Fixed-wing VTOL UAVs are employed in military and defense operations for tasks such as reconnaissance, tactical missions, border surveillance, and search and rescue, as they enhance operational effectiveness and situational awareness through their versatility, flexibility, and efficiency. For instance, in November 2023, the International Trade Administration (ITA), a U.S. government agency within the Department of Commerce, reported that the UK defense industry achieved a turnover of approximately $29 billion in 2022, with $15 billion generated from exports. Additionally, the UK space industry recorded a turnover of about $22 billion in 2021, with $9.5 billion attributed to exports. Consequently, the expanding applications in military and defense are fueling the growth of the fixed-wing VTOL UAV market.

Major companies operating in the fixed-wing VTOL UAV market are focusing on developing advanced solutions equipped with highly reliable power systems and locking propeller designs to gain a competitive edge in the market. A highly reliable power system and locking propeller design allow for efficient missions while maintaining vertical takeoff and landing capability. For instance, in June 2023, T-DRONES, a China-based manufacturer of industrial UAVs, launched the VA25, a new fixed-wing VTOL UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle). This innovative VA25 is a long-endurance fixed-wing VTOL drone designed for industrial use. It has a wingspan of 2.5m, a takeoff weight of 13kg, and a flight time of up to 210 minutes with a 1kg payload. The frame is made of carbon fiber composite PVC, and it features a highly reliable power system and a locking propeller design, which greatly prolongs the flight time. The standard drone includes the frame and T-MOTOR power system.

In October 2022, Sierra Nevada Corporation, a US-based engineering and manufacturing corporation, acquired Volansi Inc. for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition aims to expand its portfolio and capabilities in the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) space, particularly in the vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) drone segment. This strategic move allows Sierra Nevada to integrate Volansi's assets and expertise into its existing UAV solutions, reaffirming its commitment to delivering next-generation VTOL platforms and expanding its offerings in the UAV market. Volansi Inc. is a US-based manufacturer of autonomous fixed-wing vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) UAVs.

Fixed-wing vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) refer to unmanned aircraft that possess the capability to take off and land vertically, like helicopters or multirotor drones, while also featuring fixed wings for sustained forward flight. It is used for various purposes, including inspection and monitoring, mapping and surveying work, powerline inspection, and environmental monitoring.

The main types of propulsion in a fixed-wing VTOL UAV are electric, hybrid, and gasoline. Electric propulsion refers to the use of electric power to drive the aircraft's propulsion system, such as electric motors or electrically driven propellers. They are operated through various modes, such as remotely piloted, optionally piloted, and fully autonomous, with several types of range involved, including beyond line of sight, extended visual line of sight, and visual line of sight. These are used for several applications, including military, government, law enforcement, firefighting and disaster management, search and rescue, maritime security, and commercial.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The sharp increase in U.S. tariffs and resulting trade disputes in spring 2025 are significantly affecting the aerospace and defense sector. Prices for key materials such as titanium, carbon fiber composites, and avionics primarily sourced from international suppliers have surged. Defense contractors, constrained by fixed-price government contracts, are forced to absorb these rising costs. Meanwhile, commercial aerospace companies are encountering resistance from airlines over increased aircraft prices. In addition, customs delays are disrupting already tight production timelines for jets and satellites. In response, the industry is stockpiling essential materials, pursuing import waivers for defense-related goods, and working with allied nations to diversify supply chains.

The main types of propulsion in a fixed-wing VTOL UAV are electric, hybrid, and gasoline. Electric propulsion refers to the use of electric power to drive the aircraft's propulsion system, such as electric motors or electrically driven propellers. They are operated through various modes, such as remotely piloted, optionally piloted, and fully autonomous, with several types of range involved, including beyond line of sight, extended visual line of sight, and visual line of sight. These are used for several applications, including military, government, law enforcement, firefighting and disaster management, search and rescue, maritime security, and commercial.

Major companies operating in the fixed-wing VTOL UAV market are Lockheed Martin Corporation, Textron Inc., Avery Dennison Corporation (AVY), AeroVironment Inc., SZ DJI Technology Co. Ltd., ideaForge Technology Ltd., Quantum-Systems GmbH, Wingtra WingtraOne, Autel Robotics, Elroy Air Inc., ULC Robotics Inc., Bluebird Aero Systems Ltd., Arcturus UAV Inc., Latitude Engineering, ALTI Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Threod Systems, ZEROTECH Intelligence Technology Co., Ltd., Sunlight Aerospace, A-techSYN Ltd., Ukrspecsystems, Vertical Technologies Ltd., Carbonix, Hubblefly Technologies, Homeland Surveillance & Electronics LLC, Height Technologies.

North America was the largest region in the Fixed-wing VTOL UAV market in 2024. The regions covered in the fixed-wing vtol uav market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

The countries covered in the fixed-wing vtol uav market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The fixed-wing VTOL UAV market consists of sales of tiltrotor VTOL UAVs, tail-sitter VTOL UAVs, quadplane VTOL UAVs, tail-sitter UAVs, and tiltrotor UAVs. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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