Electric-Driven Fixed-Wing UAV Market Report 2025

The electric-driven fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $3.57 billion in 2024 to $4.03 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.3%. The growth during the historical period can be attributed to the expanded use in environmental monitoring, efforts toward achieving net-zero emission targets, advancements in smart agriculture, government-provided subsidies and research and development support, and a rising interest in autonomous technologies.

The electric-driven fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $7.42 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.1%. The anticipated growth in the forecast period can be credited to increasing demand for civilian surveillance, expansion of the commercial drone sector, heightened environmental awareness, a growing need for long-range monitoring, and increased investment in urban air mobility initiatives. Key trends expected during this period include the advancement of autonomous takeoff and landing capabilities, the use of lightweight materials, continued innovation in UAV technologies, the development of advanced drone payload systems, and the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning.

The increasing demand in the commercial drone sector is expected to drive the growth of the electric-driven fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) market. The commercial drone sector focuses on the development, production, and use of UAVs for business-related, non-military purposes. This demand is growing due to the need for faster and more efficient delivery services, as drones enable quick, contactless deliveries in both urban and remote locations. Electric-driven fixed-wing UAVs are particularly valuable for this sector because they offer longer flight endurance and greater range compared to multirotor drones, making them well-suited for tasks such as large-area surveying, mapping, and delivery. Additionally, they operate more quietly and have a lower environmental impact. For example, a report published by Airservices Australia in February 2024 projects that annual drone flights in Australia will increase from 1.5 million in 2023 to 60.4 million by 2043, including 500,000 flights for crop monitoring and 1.5 million food deliveries. Thus, the expanding demand in the commercial drone sector is boosting the electric-driven fixed-wing UAV market.

Leading companies in the electric-driven fixed-wing UAV market are focusing on innovative technologies such as electric fixed-wing vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) drones to improve operational flexibility, lower carbon emissions, and extend flight endurance. An eVTOL drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle that combines the aerodynamic efficiency of fixed-wing flight with the vertical takeoff and landing capabilities of rotary-wing systems, powered by electric propulsion. For instance, in September 2024, T-DRONES, a China-based manufacturer of heavy payload UAVs, introduced the VA17, a fixed-wing VTOL drone featuring a tilt-rotor design that enables smooth transitions between vertical and horizontal flight. The VA17 has a wingspan of 1,680 mm and a lightweight, durable frame constructed from carbon fiber and EPP foam. It is designed for long-endurance missions, providing up to 120 minutes of flight time with an 800 g payload and a maximum range of 125 km. Its advanced power management, high wind resistance, and tool-free assembly make it versatile and reliable for various industrial and commercial uses, including mapping, surveying, and surveillance.

In October 2022, Sierra Nevada Corporation, a US aerospace firm, acquired Volansi Inc. for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Sierra Nevada aims to enhance its position in the UAV market by integrating Volansi’s vertical takeoff and landing drone technology and manufacturing capabilities. This will enable Sierra Nevada to develop and produce advanced, quickly deployable UAV platforms equipped with intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance features for defense and logistics purposes. Volansi Inc. is a US-based developer and manufacturer of autonomous fixed-wing VTOL UAVs.

Major players in the electric-driven fixed-wing uav market are Lockheed Martin Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, BAE Systems plc, AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc., Thales Group, Leonardo S.p.A., Textron Systems, Elbit Systems Ltd., Saab AB, General Atomics Aeronautical, Teledyne FLIR LLC, Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, AeroVironment Inc., Zipline International Inc., Insitu Inc., Quantum Systems GmbH, Baykar Technologies, Wingtra AG, Delair Tech, ALTI UAS.

North America was the largest region in the electric-driven fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in electric-driven fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the electric-driven fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

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 hike in U.S. tariffs and the associated trade disputes in spring 2025 are notably impacting the aerospace and defense sector by raising costs for titanium, carbon fiber composites, and avionics materials largely sourced from global suppliers. Defense contractors, locked into fixed-price government contracts, absorb these added costs, while commercial aerospace firms face airline pushback on higher aircraft prices. Delays in component shipments due to customs bottlenecks further disrupt tight production schedules for jets and satellites. The industry is responding by stockpiling critical materials, seeking waivers for defense-related imports, and collaborating with allied nations to diversify supply chain.

Electric-driven fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are unmanned aircraft that utilize electric motors for propulsion and are designed with fixed wings, similar to conventional airplanes. These UAVs generate lift aerodynamically through their wings and are powered by batteries or other electric energy sources. Compared to fuel-powered UAVs, they offer advantages such as extended endurance, quieter operation, and lower emissions.

The primary categories of electric-driven fixed-wing UAVs include small, medium, and large types. Small electric fixed-wing UAVs are lightweight drones, typically weighing under 25 kilograms, designed for portability and ease of use. These UAVs incorporate various technologies such as fixed-wing electric UAVs, hybrid electric UAVs, fully autonomous UAVs, and remotely piloted UAVs. They are used across a range of applications, including military and civilian purposes. Key end-use industries include agriculture, military and defense, logistics and transportation, construction, energy and utilities, and environmental monitoring.

The electric-driven fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides electric-driven fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) market statistics, including electric-driven fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an electric-driven fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) market share, detailed electric-driven fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the electric-driven fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) industry. This electric-driven fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) 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.

The electric-driven fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as aerial surveying, agricultural monitoring, environmental monitoring, infrastructure inspection, disaster management, and delivery services. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The electric-driven fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) market also includes sales of products including ground control stations, autonomous navigation systems, payload cameras, sensor packages, battery packs, charging stations, and data processing software. 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 and 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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