Unmanned Composites Market Report 2026

The unmanned composites market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $1.89 billion in 2025 to $2.16 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.6%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing adoption of unmanned aerial vehicles requiring lightweight composite airframes, rise in defense-led drone programs driving demand for high-strength composite components, development of composite propellers to improve endurance and maneuverability, expansion of commercial drone applications necessitating durable composite payload enclosures, growth of manufacturing capabilities for advanced resin-matrix composite structures in unmanned systems.

The unmanned composites market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $3.71 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.4%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing demand for long-endurance unmanned systems driving use of next-generation composite materials, increasing integration of composite armor to enhance survivability of military drones, rising adoption of high-performance composite fairings to support aerodynamic efficiency, expansion of autonomous logistics and delivery drones boosting need for lightweight composite designs, development of sustainable and recyclable composite materials tailored for unmanned platforms. Major trends in the forecast period include lightweight multi-material hybridization, advanced resin systems for extreme environments, high-temperature composite innovations, customization of composite airframes for mission-specific drones, growing use of composite payload enclosures for endurance optimization.

The rising demand for unmanned aerial vehicles is expected to drive the growth of the unmanned composites market in the coming years. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly known as a drone, is an aircraft that operates without a human pilot on board. A UAV can fly autonomously or be guided remotely. By utilizing the advantages of unmanned composites, drones can achieve improved performance, greater payload capacity, extended flight endurance, better aerodynamics, and increased durability. For example, in June 2025, according to the Ministry of Defence, a UK-based government ministry, the UK announced a record investment of £350 million (about $473 million USD) to strengthen Ukraine’s drone supply, aiming to raise the number of drones provided from 10,000 in 2024 to 100,000 in 2025. Therefore, the rising demand for unmanned aerial vehicles is contributing to the expansion of the unmanned composites market.

Leading companies in the unmanned composites market are pursuing strategic collaboration approaches to deliver advanced nanomaterial-reinforced drones. A strategic collaboration involves a mutually beneficial partnership between organizations to achieve common goals through coordinated efforts and resource sharing. For example, in August 2023, Carborundum Universal Ltd., an India-based manufacturer and developer of abrasives and industrial ceramics, partnered with IdeaForge Technology, an Indian drone manufacturer, to create drones incorporating innovative nanomaterial-reinforced composite components. This collaboration aimed to produce drones that are lighter, stronger, and more durable by utilizing the advantages of nanomaterial composite materials, which offer enhanced mechanical strength, increased toughness, and superior electrical and thermal conductivity.

In February 2023, Creative Composites Group (CCG), a fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) manufacturer based in the United States, completed the acquisition of Enduro Composites for an undisclosed sum. This strategic acquisition is aimed at bolstering CCG's existing services and expanding its global presence. It particularly focuses on leveraging Enduro Composites' strengths, including its field service capabilities that encompass installation, maintenance, and aftermarket support. Enduro Composites, also based in the United States, specializes in manufacturing fiberglass-reinforced polymer composites.

Major companies operating in the unmanned composites market are Mitsubishi Rayon, The Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, NVIDIA, Evonic Industries AG, Toray Industries Inc., Solvay S.A., Dupont Inc., Owens Corning, Formosa Plastics Corporation, Teijin Limited, Elbit Systems, Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, Leonardo DRS, Aerojet Rocketdyne, Hexcel Corporation, Materion Corporation, SGL Carbon SE, Stratasys Ltd., Gurit Holding AG, AeroVironment, ZOLTEK Corp., Unitech Aerospace, Cytec Engineered Materials Inc., Quantum Composites Inc., DowAksa Advanced Composites Holdings B.V., Tencate Advanced Composites, Renegade Materials Corporation.

North America was the largest region in the unmanned composites market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the unmanned composites market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

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.

Tariffs on advanced fibers, resins, and precision manufacturing materials have increased production costs for unmanned composites, disrupting supply chains and slowing adoption across UAVs, UGVs, and marine unmanned platforms. Segments such as carbon fiber reinforced polymers and composite airframes are most affected, particularly in regions dependent on imported raw materials such as Asia-Pacific and Europe. Some positive impacts include increased investment in domestic composite production and accelerated development of cost-efficient hybrid composites to reduce tariff exposure and ensure supply resilience.

The unmanned composites market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides unmanned composites market statistics, including unmanned composites industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an unmanned composites market share, detailed unmanned composites market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the unmanned composites industry. These unmanned composites market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

Unmanned composites refer to fibrous materials integrated into a resin matrix, commonly utilized in the construction of unmanned aircraft or drones. These composite materials are favored in unmanned aerial vehicles due to their lightweight yet robust nature, providing increased cargo capacity, extended flight endurance, and enhanced maneuverability.

The primary types of unmanned composites include carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP), glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP), aramid fiber reinforced polymer (AFRP), and boron fiber reinforced polymer (BFRP). CFRP specifically consists of carbon fiber reinforcements embedded within a polymer matrix. These materials find application across various unmanned platforms such as aerial vehicles (UAVs), ground vehicles (UGVs), surface vehicles (USVs), autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), autonomous ships, and passenger drones. They are utilized for a multitude of applications, encompassing both interior and exterior functionalities within these unmanned systems.

The countries covered in the unmanned composites market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The unmanned composites market consists of sales of composite airframes, composite propellers, composite payload enclosures, composite fairings, and composite armor. 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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