Mobile Target Drone Launcher Market Report 2025

The mobile target drone launcher market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $1.2 billion in 2024 to $1.32 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.2%. The expansion observed during the historical period was driven by increasing demand for military training, greater adoption of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), growth in defense spending, the rise of asymmetric warfare, and a stronger focus on mobile platforms.

The mobile target drone launcher market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $1.92 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.8%. The projected growth during the forecast period is expected to be driven by higher investments in autonomous systems, increasing demand for modular and mobile solutions, wider adoption of swarm drone strategies, growth in international military collaborations, and a stronger emphasis on cost-efficient training methods. Key trends anticipated include advancements in autonomous drone launch systems, innovations in miniaturized mobile launchers, integration of AI-driven targeting technologies, development of modular and portable launcher platforms, and improvements in rapid deployment mechanisms.

The growth of the mobile target drone launcher market is being supported by increasing military expenditure, as governments allocate more funds for defense purposes, including personnel, equipment, operations, and maintenance. Rising geopolitical tensions have prompted nations to invest in advanced defense systems and strategic capabilities to enhance security and deter potential threats. Increased military spending facilitates the development, acquisition, and operational deployment of sophisticated drone systems for training and combat readiness. For example, a report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute indicated that global military spending rose by 3.7% in real terms in 2022, reaching $2.24 trillion, while European military expenditure grew by 13% over the same period.

The mobile target drone launcher market is also benefiting from the growing number of military peacekeeping missions. These missions, aimed at preventing conflict, maintaining stability, and protecting civilians in areas affected by unrest, have been increasing due to rising regional conflicts and political instability. Drone launchers provide realistic aerial threat simulations that help forces train effectively and refine response strategies without risking personnel or equipment. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, 64 multinational peace operations took place in 38 nations and territories worldwide in 2022, with 114,984 international personnel serving in multilateral operations, a 2.79% increase from the previous year.

Companies in the mobile target drone launcher market are investing in high-speed drone technologies to enhance air defense training and operational efficiency. These systems allow for realistic simulations of fast-moving aerial threats, such as missiles, fighter jets, or enemy drones, improving multi-threat engagement capabilities and reducing operational costs through reusable and versatile drone platforms. In July 2025, Turkey's Aerospace Industries introduced the Şimşek-K High-Speed Target Drone System, designed for autonomous training and flexible deployment in air defense and naval operations. The compact drone measures 2.4 meters in length with a 1.5-meter wingspan, a maximum takeoff weight of 83 kilograms, and can carry up to 18 kilograms of equipment including cameras, IR signature enhancers, and radar devices. It can be launched from land, sea, or airborne platforms using rocket-assisted takeoff and includes a parachute recovery system. The drone operates autonomously with encrypted controls, supports in-flight mission updates, and features both emergency and automatic landing modes.

Major players in the mobile target drone launcher market are The Boeing Co., Raytheon Technologies Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation, General Dynamics Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Thales Group, L3Harris Technologies Inc., Leonardo S.p.A., Textron Systems Corporation, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., Elbit Systems Ltd., Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd., CAE Inc., QinetiQ Group Plc, Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc., Teledyne FLIR LLC, Paramount Group, AeroVironment Inc., Denel Ltd., Navmar Applied Sciences Corporation.

North America was the largest region in the mobile target drone launcher market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in mobile target drone launcher report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the mobile target drone launcher 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.

A mobile target drone launcher is a portable system designed to deploy unmanned aerial targets (drones) for military exercises and weapons testing. It enables armed forces to replicate realistic aerial threats, enhancing the precision and preparedness of anti-aircraft systems. Typically mounted on trucks or trailers, these launchers can be relocated easily for field operations.

The primary types of mobile target drone launchers include rail launchers, pneumatic launchers, hydraulic launchers, and similar systems. Rail launchers are ground- or ship-based devices that use parallel rails to guide and accelerate missiles, rockets, or UAVs during launch. Deployment platforms include land, sea, and air. These systems are applied in military training, defense testing, aerospace, and related areas, and are used by end users such as armed forces, defense contractors, and research institutions.

The mobile target drone launcher market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides mobile target drone launcher market statistics, including the mobile target drone launcher industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with the mobile target drone launcher market share, detailed mobile target drone launcher market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the mobile target drone launcher industry. This mobile target drone launcher 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 mobile target drone launcher market consists of sales of bungee-assisted launchers, electromagnetic launchers, catapult launchers, pin array launchers, and parachute recovery 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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