Dimensional Metrology in Aerospace and Defense Market Report 2026

The dimensional metrology in aerospace and defense market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.19 billion in 2025 to $1.3 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.2%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing adoption of coordinate measuring machines to validate precision aerospace components, rising use of 3d scanning technologies to accelerate inspection workflows, expansion of quality assurance requirements for defense manufacturing programs, development of advanced gantry and horizontal arm systems enabling measurement of large aircraft structures, growing reliance on metrology services to support compliance with stringent aerospace and defense standards.

The dimensional metrology in aerospace and defense market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $1.79 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.3%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising demand for automated and robot-integrated metrology solutions to enhance production efficiency, increasing adoption of high-speed white light and laser scanners for real-time inspection, expansion of digital quality ecosystems linking metrology data with manufacturing execution systems, growing need for ultra-precision measurement capabilities to support next-generation aircraft and defense systems, development of portable metrology tools enabling in-situ measurement for maintenance and repair operations. Major trends in the forecast period include growth in ultra-high-precision measurements, rising adoption of non-contact 3d scanning, increased use of metrology in reverse engineering, expansion of in-line metrology for production, greater demand for validating lightweight materials.

The growth of dimensional metrology in the aerospace and defense market is expected to be driven by increasing investments in defense and aerospace. These investments involve the development, modernization, and enhancement of technologies, infrastructure, and systems related to military and aviation applications. The rise in defense and aerospace spending is motivated by the growing need for national security and deterrence of threats, as governments emphasize military readiness amid escalating geopolitical tensions and regional conflicts around the world. Such investments support advancements in dimensional metrology by funding state-of-the-art measurement technologies and quality control systems, which are crucial for manufacturing advanced, reliable, and high-performance military and aerospace equipment. For example, in March 2023, the United States Department of Defense reported that its fiscal year 2024 budget was set at $842 billion, which is $26 billion higher than the FY 2023 budget and $100 billion more than the allocation for FY 2022. Thus, rising defense and aerospace investments are fueling the expansion of dimensional metrology in the aerospace and defense sector.

Leading companies in the dimensional metrology market for aerospace and defense are concentrating on creating innovative platforms, such as integrated software solutions, to improve measurement accuracy, optimize quality control processes, and enable real-time data-driven decisions. Integrated software solutions in this field refer to comprehensive platforms that combine multiple metrology functions - including measurement planning, data collection, analysis, visualization, reporting, and asset management into a single digital framework. For instance, in June 2025, Hexagon AB, a software company based in Sweden, introduced an autonomous metrology suite that simplifies user experience and reduces the programming time of coordinate measuring machines (CMM) from several days to just a few hours. The suite includes unique features designed to modernize and streamline quality control, such as Metrology Mentor, an application that automates CMM program generation directly from CAD and PMI data, allowing even non-experts to quickly create reliable inspection routines.

In March 2025, Sandvik AB, an engineering company headquartered in Sweden, acquired Verisurf Software Inc. for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Sandvik aims to strengthen its digital manufacturing portfolio and broaden its metrology and inspection software offerings, aligning with its strategy to support customers with advanced, data-driven manufacturing solutions. Verisurf Software Inc., a US-based company, specializes in dimensional metrology, quality inspection, assembly guidance, and reverse engineering, with a strong focus on aerospace and defense industries.

Major companies operating in the dimensional metrology in aerospace and defense market are Sandvik AB, Keyence Corporation, AMETEK Inc., Carl Zeiss AG, Jenoptik AG, Mitutoyo Corporation, Renishaw plc, Hexagon AB, Mahr GmbH, The L.S. Starrett Company, Creaform Inc., Quality Vision International Inc., LK Metrology Ltd, Perceptron Inc., Nikon Metrology NV, Automated Precision Inc., Rotatek Inc., Novacam Technologies Inc., EDM Intelligence solutions, Dimensional Engineering Inc.

North America was the largest region in the dimensional metrology in aerospace and defense market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the dimensional metrology in aerospace and defense 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 precision machinery and optical components have increased costs for dimensional metrology equipment in aerospace and defense, particularly impacting CMMs, scanners, and measurement gages in North America and Europe. These tariffs disrupt procurement cycles but also encourage domestic manufacturing and innovation in cost-effective metrology technologies, helping build regional supply resilience.

The dimensional metrology in aerospace and defense market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides dimensional metrology in aerospace and defense market statistics, including dimensional metrology in aerospace and defense industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a dimensional metrology in aerospace and defense market share, dimensional metrology in aerospace and defense market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the dimensional metrology in aerospace and defense industry. This dimensional metrology in aerospace and defense 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.

Dimensional metrology in aerospace and defense involves the science and process of precisely measuring the physical dimensions and geometric features of aerospace and defense components. It is employed to ensure that each component adheres to strict specifications, thereby ensuring safety, reliability, and performance during critical missions.

The primary types of dimensional metrology in aerospace and defense include coordinate measuring machines (CMM), optical digitizers and scanners (ODS), vision measuring machines (VMM), form measuring machines (FMM), measurement gauges (MG), and calipers and micrometers. Coordinate measuring machines are precision instruments that capture the exact dimensions and geometry of objects by detecting discrete points on their surfaces. Their applications encompass component inspection, assembly alignment, quality control, reverse engineering, and research and development testing, and they are used by various end users such as aerospace manufacturers, defense contractors, aerospace repair and overhaul providers, and subcontractors.

The countries covered in the dimensional metrology in aerospace and defense market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The dimensional metrology in aerospace and defense market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as precision measurement, 3D scanning, coordinate measuring, and quality assurance. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The dimensional metrology in aerospace and defense market also includes sales of gantry coordinate measuring machines, white light scanners, and horizontal arm coordinate measuring machines. 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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