Aerospace and Defense Additive Manufacturing Global Market Report 2024

The aerospace and defense additive manufacturing market size has grown exponentially in recent years. It will grow from $3.62 billion in 2023 to $4.4 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.5%. The growth observed in the historical period in aerospace and defense additive manufacturing can be attributed to several factors. These include efforts focused on cost reduction, the production of lightweight components, the ability to achieve customization and handle complexity in manufacturing, optimization of the supply chain, and advancements in materials used in additive manufacturing processes.


The aerospace and defense additive manufacturing market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $8.76 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.8%. The anticipated growth in the forecast period for aerospace and defense additive manufacturing can be attributed to various factors, including the increased adoption of additive manufacturing (AM) technology, advancements in material science, the production of complex parts, integration with Industry 4.0 technologies, and the implementation of digital twins. Key trends expected in the forecast period encompass the scaled production of critical parts using additive manufacturing, ongoing developments in AM materials, the incorporation of automation and robotics in additive manufacturing processes, advancements in post-processing techniques, and the integration of 3D printing with electronics.

The anticipated rise in government expenditure within the defense sector is poised to be a significant catalyst for the advancement of the aerospace and defense additive manufacturing market. Defense spending encompasses allocations for weaponry, operations, maintenance, personnel, and specific military gear. With increased investments in defense, additive manufacturing stands to benefit from amplified research and development endeavors, fostering progress in materials, processes, and quality control. Such advancements are expected to expedite the adoption of additive manufacturing technologies, subsequently leading to augmented productivity, bolstered resilience in supply chains, and a surge in innovation within the aerospace and defense industries. Notably, in March 2023, the United States Air Force (USAF) disclosed a budget request of approximately $215.1 billion for fiscal year (FY) 2024, marking a substantial $9.3 billion or 4.5% rise from the preceding FY 2023 figure. Thus, the escalating government spending in the defense sector serves as a driving force behind the growth of the aerospace and defense additive manufacturing market.

The upward trajectory of air passenger traffic is poised to propel the expansion of the aerospace and defense additive manufacturing market. Air passenger traffic denotes the count of individuals traveling via air transport within a defined timeframe, predominantly calculated based on commercial flight boardings. Embracing aerospace and defense additive manufacturing technologies holds the potential to positively impact air passenger traffic by enhancing aircraft efficiency, innovation, fuel economy, and cost-effectiveness while ensuring the reliability and sustainability of air travel operations. As observed in October 2022, statistics from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) revealed a surge in traffic for Asia-Pacific airlines, registering a notable 98.5% increase in August 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. This growth solidifies their position as the leading airline segment in the region. Concurrently, European carriers experienced a 13.6% rise in August 2023 compared to the preceding year, indicating a significant surge in air passenger traffic. Consequently, the burgeoning air passenger traffic serves as a driving factor propelling the growth of the aerospace and defense additive manufacturing market.

Product innovation stands as a prominent trend shaping the landscape of the aerospace and defense additive manufacturing market. Major industry players are diligently developing novel products to maintain their competitive edge. For example, in May 2021, Aerojet Rocketdyne Inc., a leading US-based developer of rocket and propulsion systems, unveiled the RL10C-X, an upgraded version of its RL10 rocket engine. This innovative engine iteration incorporates components such as the injector and combustion chamber, fabricated using Aerojet Rocketdyne's cutting-edge additive manufacturing technology. Designed for upper-stage propulsion, the RL10C-X engine successfully underwent NASA hot-fire testing, showcasing its capability to produce approximately 24,000 pounds of thrust in a flight-such as scenario, including multiple restarts during a standard mission profile.

Major entities in the aerospace and defense additive manufacturing sector are strategically focusing on pioneering products such as industrial-grade 3D printers to bolster their market revenues. An exemplary instance occurred in November 2022, when Wipro 3D, a division of Wipro Limited, an India-based additive manufacturing business unit, launched the Wipro 3D F300-2. This state-of-the-art 3D printer, leveraging fused filament fabrication (FFF) technology, targets educational institutions, industries, engineering firms, and R&D centers. The F300-2 boasts remote monitoring and control capabilities accessible via internet-enabled devices, ensuring operational ease and flexibility. Engineered with safety features such as dual filtration, a self-cleaning nozzle, a magnetic print bed, and automatic platform leveling, this printer ensures high-quality 3D printing while prioritizing user safety. Its exceptional accuracy, speed, and adaptability, coupled with user-friendly functionalities, position the Wipro 3D F300-2 as a premium polymer 3D printer, promising superior print quality and hassle-free operation.

In October 2022, GKN Aerospace Ltd., a UK-based company specializing in automotive and aerospace components, successfully acquired Permanova Lasersystem AB for an undisclosed amount. This strategic acquisition enhances GKN Aerospace's capabilities in additive fabrication, particularly in the field of large-scale additive manufacturing (AM) industrialization. The acquisition is expected to facilitate significant future business growth for GKN Aerospace. Permanova Lasersystem AB, based in Sweden, is recognized for producing robotic laser systems for metalworking in the engineering sector. The company employs modern 3D printing technology to develop robust, lightweight, and environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional castings and forgings. The acquisition aligns with GKN Aerospace's objectives to strengthen its position in the additive manufacturing space and advance its offerings in the aerospace sector.

Major companies operating in the aerospace and defense additive manufacturing market report are General Electric Company, Raytheon Technologies Corporation, The Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Airbus SE, Northrop Grumman Corporation, BAE Systems, Safran SA, Rolls-Royce Holdings, Honeywell Aerospace, Siemens Digital Industries Software, OC Oerlikon Corporation AG, Moog Inc., Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings Inc., Carpenter Technology Corporation, Renishaw plc, GKN Aerospace, Stratasys Ltd., EOS GmbH, 3D Systems Corporation, Proto Labs Inc., Materialise NV, Desktop Metal Inc., SLM Solutions Group AG, Optomec Inc., Sintavia, Additive Industries, Optisys LLC, CRP Technology SRL, BeAM Machines Inc.

North America was the largest region in the aerospace and defense additive manufacturing market in 2023. The regions covered in the aerospace and defense additive manufacturing market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the aerospace and defense additive manufacturing market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The primary types of aerospace and defense additive manufacturing technologies include direct metal laser sintering (DMLS), fused deposition modeling (FDM), continuous liquid interface production (CLIP), stereolithography (SLA), selective laser sintering (SLS), and others. Direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) is a specific form of additive manufacturing in which metal powder is fused together layer by layer, utilizing a laser, to form a solid 3D object. These technologies utilize various materials such as metals, plastics, rubbers, and others. Aerospace and defense additive manufacturing find application in various platforms, including aviation, defense, and space. They are utilized for a range of applications, such as engine components, space components, structural components, defense components, and more.

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

The aerospace and defense additive manufacturing market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing material extrusion, sheet lamination, binder jetting, material jetting, directed energy deposition, powder bed fusion, and vat photopolymerization. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The aerospace & defense additive manufacturing market also includes of sale of radio frequency hardware, propulsion systems, heat exchangers, casting patterns, and engine components. 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.