Autonomous Aircraft Flight Management Computer Market Report 2026

The autonomous aircraft flight management computer market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $0.93 billion in 2025 to $0.98 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to early development of autopilot and flight management systems, adoption of navigation and sensor integration technologies, growth in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) applications, advancements in collision avoidance systems, increasing demand for autonomous mission planning in defense and commercial aviation.

The autonomous aircraft flight management computer market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $1.23 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to integration of AI and machine learning for fully autonomous flight, expansion of uav and autonomous aircraft commercial applications, development of advanced real-time decision-making algorithms, increasing adoption of connected and networked navigation systems, growth in regulatory support and certification for autonomous flight operations. Major trends in the forecast period include real-time flight decision making, multi-vehicle coordination and swarming, enhanced flight safety and collision avoidance, modular and upgradable flight management systems, integration with air traffic management systems.

The increase in the number of passengers is expected to drive the growth of the autonomous aircraft flight management computer market in the coming years. The rise in passenger numbers is fueled by economic expansion, which enables more people to afford air travel, as well as the growth of airline networks that provide greater access to new destinations. Autonomous flight management systems reduce human error, a major factor in aviation accidents. These systems can manage essential flight functions such as navigation, autopilot operation, and route optimization with high precision. They can also monitor an aircraft’s condition in real time, allowing them to detect and respond to irregularities more quickly than human pilots. For example, in March 2025, according to the International Trade Administration, a U.S.-based government agency, U.S. citizen air passenger departures to foreign countries reached 6.557 million, an increase of 1.6 percent compared to March 2024. Therefore, the rising number of passengers is contributing to the expansion of the autonomous aircraft flight management computer market.

Major companies in the autonomous aircraft flight management computer market are focusing on advancing innovative technologies such as integrated autonomy software ecosystems to enhance flight efficiency, safety, and fully autonomous operational capabilities. Integrated autonomy software ecosystems are unified platforms that merge flight control, navigation, and data management to support smooth autonomous operations, improving real-time decision-making, reducing pilot workload, and boosting overall flight safety and efficiency. For instance, in October 2023, Auterion AG, a Switzerland-based drone and robotics software company, introduced an updated all-in-one autonomy solution for drones that consolidates flight control, mission planning, and data management through a scalable software stack. Named Skynode X, the system integrates a flight controller, mission computer, and LTE connectivity in a compact, lightweight unit that is 30 percent thinner and 15 percent lighter than the previous version. Powered by the FMUv6x flight management unit, Skynode X provides enhanced computing power, stability, and reliability, enabling advanced features such as GPS-denied navigation, obstacle detection, and vision-guided landing on moving platforms. The release highlights Auterion AG’s strategic commitment to accelerating the adoption of software-defined autonomy across various industries, including logistics, infrastructure inspection, public safety, and defense operations.

In June 2024, Joby Aviation, a U.S.-based aviation company, acquired Xwing Inc. for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition aims to bolster Joby Aviation’s efforts in developing electric air taxis by integrating advanced autonomous flight technologies, helping the company lead in aviation autonomy and supporting its vision of accessible, clean, and convenient aerial mobility. Xwing Inc. is a U.S.-based aerospace company specializing in autonomous aircraft flight management systems for both aviation and defense sectors.

Major companies operating in the autonomous aircraft flight management computer market are Raytheon Technologies, Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Airbus SE, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Honeywell Aerospace, BAE Systems, Safran Group, Thales Group, Elbit Systems Ltd., Moog Inc., Curtiss-Wright Corporation, QinetiQ Group plc, Elnfochips, Duncan Aviation, Wisk, Avidyne Corporation, Auterion, UAV Navigation, Aeroscout Gmbh, Stavatti Aerospace.

North America was the largest region in the autonomous aircraft flight management computers market in 2025. The regions covered in the autonomous aircraft flight management computer 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 have affected the autonomous aircraft flight management computer market by increasing the cost of imported hardware components, software licensing, and integration services, particularly impacting Asia-Pacific manufacturing hubs and North American defense contractors. The tariffs have slowed the adoption of advanced flight management systems in regions dependent on cross-border supply chains. Hardware components such as sensors and flight control units are most affected, while software and service segments face moderate impacts. Positive effects include boosting local manufacturing and development initiatives, encouraging regional suppliers to innovate and reduce dependency on imports.

The autonomous aircraft flight management computer market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides autonomous aircraft flight management computer market statistics, including autonomous aircraft flight management computer industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an autonomous aircraft flight management computer market share, detailed autonomous aircraft flight management computer market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the autonomous aircraft flight management computer industry. This autonomous aircraft flight management computer 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.

An autonomous aircraft flight management computer (AFMC) is a system that independently oversees flight operations, such as navigation, flight control, and mission planning, typically used in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). It combines sensors and algorithms to make real-time decisions, enabling safe and efficient flight without the need for human input.

The key components of an autonomous aircraft flight management computer include hardware, software, and services. In the aviation industry, hardware refers to the physical elements used in aircraft systems, such as engines, control systems, and avionics. This category includes a variety of platforms, including fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, utilizing technologies that range from fully autonomous to increasingly autonomous systems. These components serve various end users, including passenger air vehicles, personal air vehicles, combat intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, air medical services, cargo, delivery aircraft, and more.

The countries covered in the autonomous aircraft flight management computer market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The autonomous aircraft flight management computer market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as flight path management, navigation integration, autopilot control, and air traffic control communication. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The autonomous aircraft flight management computer (AFMC) market also includes sales of flight planning systems, navigation systems, collision avoidance systems, and communication systems. 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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