The light detection and ranging (LiDAR) in mapping market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $7.4 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.6%. The projected growth during the forecast period can be attributed to rising demand for 3D city models to support smart city planning, increasing adoption of LiDAR for disaster management and mitigation, expanding government initiatives for geospatial data standardization, growing interest in 3D modeling and digital twin development, and wider deployment in early warning and disaster management systems. Key trends expected in this period include advancements in solid-state LiDAR technology for compact applications, innovations in cloud-based LiDAR data processing platforms, integration of LiDAR with artificial intelligence for automated mapping, development of multi-sensor systems combining LiDAR and imaging technologies, creation of lightweight LiDAR sensors for drone-based mapping, and integration of LiDAR with real-time geographic information systems (GIS).
The increasing investments in infrastructure development are expected to drive the growth of the light detection and ranging (LiDAR) mapping market in the coming years. Infrastructure investments involve allocating financial resources to construct, upgrade, and maintain essential physical and organizational structures. These investments are rising due to rapid urbanization, as expanding cities require improved transportation, utilities, and public services to support growing populations and economic activities. Such investments boost the adoption of LiDAR in mapping by creating greater demand for accurate, high-resolution spatial data to efficiently plan, design, and monitor complex construction projects. For example, in July 2024, the UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that total infrastructure sector investment reached $17.3 billion (£13.8 billion) at constant prices in 2023, marking a 3.9% increase from 2022. Consequently, rising infrastructure investments are a key driver of the LiDAR mapping market.
Leading companies in the light detection and ranging (LiDAR) mapping market are focusing on developing advanced solutions, such as professional airborne LiDAR systems, to efficiently capture high-resolution geospatial data over large areas. Professional airborne LiDAR systems are mounted on aircraft and equipped with sensors, along with a global positioning system (GPS) or inertial measurement unit (IMU), to collect precise, high-resolution spatial data across expansive regions. For example, in August 2025, Rock Robotic Inc., a U.S.-based technology company, introduced the ROCK Ultra LiDAR, a next-generation professional airborne LiDAR system designed to enhance the efficiency and ease of large-scale surveying projects. The system features a high-power 1550 nm laser capable of capturing up to one million points per second with seven returns per pulse, enabling excellent vegetation penetration and survey-grade data accuracy of 1 cm horizontally and 2 cm vertically. Its long-range capability allows flights up to 450 meters above ground, covering two to three times more area per flight, while simplifying mission planning by safely navigating over obstacles. Weighing just 1.4 kg and compatible with drones, it provides a complete solution for efficient, high-quality mapping and data processing.
In January 2022, mdGroup, a UK-based LiDAR data technology company, acquired GeoCue Group for an undisclosed sum. Through this acquisition, mdGroup seeks to strengthen its position as a leading provider of advanced drone surveying technologies and better meet the growing demand for drone-enabled precision outputs, including classified and colorized point clouds, volume calculations, and contour maps. GeoCue Group Inc. is a U.S.-based company specializing in LiDAR mapping technology.
Major players in the light detection and ranging (lidar) in mapping market are Hexagon AB, Teledyne Optech Inc., Trimble Inc., SICK AG, Topcon Corporation, Leica Geosystems AG, FARO Technologies Inc., LeiShen Intelligent Systems Company Limited, Velodyne Lidar Inc., Ouster Inc., Ceinsys Tech Limited, Geokno India Private Limited, BPC Consultant India Private Limited, Innoviz Technologies Ltd., YellowScan SAS, Neuvition Inc., Phoenix LiDAR Systems Incorporated, Quanergy Systems Incorporated, Rock Robotic Inc., Aeva Technologies Inc.
North America was the largest region in the light attack and reconnaissance aircraft market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in light attack and reconnaissance aircraft report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the light attack and reconnaissance aircraft 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.
Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) for mapping is a remote sensing technology that employs laser pulses to measure distances between sensors and the Earth’s surface, generating highly accurate three-dimensional (3D) models of terrain, vegetation, and human-made structures. This technology facilitates the creation of precise topographic maps and enables efficient large-scale geographic surveys thanks to its high resolution and rapid data acquisition.
The primary components of LiDAR in mapping include hardware, software, and services. Hardware encompasses the physical devices and equipment used to capture accurate geospatial data from the environment. LiDAR systems are deployed across various platforms, including drones, terrestrial vehicles, airborne systems, handheld units, and backpack-mounted setups, utilizing technologies such as terrestrial LiDAR, aerial LiDAR, mobile LiDAR, and bathymetric LiDAR. These platforms serve multiple applications, including urban planning, environmental monitoring, disaster management, infrastructure development, and more, catering to diverse end-users such as government agencies, construction firms, transportation authorities, utility companies, and others.
The light detection and ranging (LiDAR) in mapping market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides light detection and ranging (LiDAR) in mapping market statistics, including light detection and ranging (LiDAR) in mapping industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) in mapping market share, detailed light detection and ranging (LiDAR) in mapping market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the light detection and ranging (LiDAR) in mapping industry. This light detection and ranging (LiDAR) in mapping 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 light detection and ranging (LiDAR) in mapping market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as archaeological site mapping, autonomous vehicle navigation support, mining site modeling, infrastructure inspection, power line mapping, and precision agriculture planning solutions. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The lidar in mapping market also includes sales of light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensors, aerial drones equipped with light detection and ranging (LiDAR), vehicle-mounted light detection and ranging (LiDAR) systems, and data processing units. 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.
This product will be delivered within 3-5 business days.
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Light Attack and Reconnaissance Aircraft Global Market Report 2025 provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.This report focuses on light attack and reconnaissance aircraft market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Reasons to Purchase:
- Gain a truly global perspective with the most comprehensive report available on this market covering 15 geographies.
- Assess the impact of key macro factors such as geopolitical conflicts, trade policies and tariffs, post-pandemic supply chain realignment, inflation and interest rate fluctuations, and evolving regulatory landscapes.
- Create regional and country strategies on the basis of local data and analysis.
- Identify growth segments for investment.
- Outperform competitors using forecast data and the drivers and trends shaping the market.
- Understand customers based on the latest market shares.
- Benchmark performance against key competitors.
- Suitable for supporting your internal and external presentations with reliable high quality data and analysis
- Report will be updated with the latest data and delivered to you along with an Excel data sheet for easy data extraction and analysis.
- All data from the report will also be delivered in an excel dashboard format.
Description
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for light attack and reconnaissance aircraft? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The light attack and reconnaissance aircraft market global report answers all these questions and many more.The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market’s historic and forecast market growth by geography.
- The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market.
- The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
- The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include: the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.
- Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
- The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth.
- The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
- The trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it emerges from the crisis and suggests how companies can grow as the market recovers.
Report Scope
Markets Covered:
1) By Type: Fixed-Wing; Rotary-Wing2) By Payload Capacity: Light Payload; Medium Payload; Heavy Payload
3) By Sensors: Optical Sensors; Infrared Sensors; Radar Systems; Electronic Warfare Systems; Signals Intelligence Systems
4) By Application: Surveillance; Border Patrol; Attack Missions; Counterinsurgency; Close Air Support; Other Applications
5) By End-User: Military; Defense Contractors; Government and Intelligence Agencies
Subsegments:
1) By Fixed-Wing: Single Engine; Twin Engine2) By Rotary-Wing: Light Utility Helicopter; Medium Utility Helicopter; Heavy Utility Helicopter
Companies Mentioned: Lockheed Martin Corp.; Boeing Defense Space & Security Inc.; General Dynamics Corp.; Northrop Grumman Corp.; BAE Systems plc; L3Harris Technologies Inc.; Leonardo S.p.A.; Elbit Systems Ltd.; Dassault Aviation S.A.; Embraer S.A.; Saab AB; Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.; Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd.; Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc.; Sierra Nevada Corp.; Paramount Group Ltd.; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.; Aero Vodochody Aerospace a.s.; Meopta Optica s.r.o.; Textron Aviation Inc.
Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain.
Regions: Asia-Pacific; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita.
Data Segmentation: Country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
Delivery Format: PDF, Word and Excel Data Dashboard.
Companies Mentioned
The companies featured in this Light Attack and Reconnaissance Aircraft market report include:- Lockheed Martin Corp.
- Boeing Defense Space & Security Inc.
- General Dynamics Corp.
- Northrop Grumman Corp.
- BAE Systems plc
- L3Harris Technologies Inc.
- Leonardo S.p.A.
- Elbit Systems Ltd.
- Dassault Aviation S.A.
- Embraer S.A.
- Saab AB
- Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.
- Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd.
- Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc.
- Sierra Nevada Corp.
- Paramount Group Ltd.
- Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.
- Aero Vodochody Aerospace a.s.
- Meopta Optica s.r.o.
- Textron Aviation Inc.
Table Information
| Report Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| No. of Pages | 250 |
| Published | October 2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2025 - 2029 |
| Estimated Market Value ( USD | $ 4 Billion |
| Forecasted Market Value ( USD | $ 7.4 Billion |
| Compound Annual Growth Rate | 16.6% |
| Regions Covered | Global |
| No. of Companies Mentioned | 21 |


