Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV)-Launched Micro-Drone Market Report 2025

The unmanned ground vehicle (UGV)-launched micro-drone market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $1.13 billion in 2024 to $1.29 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.1%. The growth in the historic period was driven by the increasing demand for battlefield surveillance, expansion of defense modernization initiatives, rising need for rapid tactical reconnaissance, greater integration of drones with ground vehicles, and heightened emphasis on force protection and situational awareness.

The unmanned ground vehicle (UGV)-launched micro-drone market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $2.15 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.8%. The expected growth in the forecast period will be fueled by the broader adoption of unmanned systems in military operations, rising demand for continuous surveillance, stronger focus on autonomous threat detection, expansion of micro-drones integrated with unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), and the growing need for improved situational awareness. Key trends anticipated during this period include progress in autonomous navigation, the development of AI-powered threat detection, innovations in compact launch systems, advancements in secure communication networks, and the integration of multi-mission payloads.

Rising investments in defense modernization are expected to significantly boost the unmanned ground vehicle (UGV)-launched micro-drone market. These investments involve allocating funds to upgrade military capabilities through the adoption of advanced technologies, systems, and equipment to improve overall operational performance. The drive behind this increase is the need for nations to develop stronger, more technologically advanced defense systems that enhance national security, streamline military operations, and maintain strategic dominance. As part of this modernization effort, systems such as UGV-launched micro-drones are being adopted for their ability to improve situational awareness, battlefield efficiency, and troop protection. For example, in May 2025, the European Union reported that both China and Russia were increasing their defense budgets. Russia’s defense spending is projected to reach 9% of its GDP by 2025, up from 6% in 2023, surpassing the defense budgets of EU member states when adjusted for purchasing power parity. This global trend toward greater defense investment is contributing to the growth of the UGV-launched micro-drone market.

Key industry players in the UGV-launched micro-drone sector are advancing their technologies to improve autonomous reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities. One such development is the hardened launch-and-dock system, a rugged, vehicle-mounted mechanism that enables micro-drones to be autonomously launched, retrieved, and securely docked, even in harsh environments with rough terrain, adverse weather, or combat conditions. For instance, in September 2023, Teledyne FLIR LLC, a U.S.-based provider of advanced sensing and imaging systems, introduced the Black Recon Vehicle Reconnaissance System. This innovation allows military personnel to autonomously deploy and recover micro-UAVs from within vehicles, supporting ongoing reconnaissance and surveillance missions. It enhances real-time situational awareness while minimizing the risk to personnel by avoiding direct exposure to external threats.

In August 2025, Ondas Holdings Inc., a U.S.-based technology firm, acquired Apeiro Motion Ltd. for $2 million. This acquisition is aimed at incorporating Apeiro Motion’s robotics and mobility solutions into Ondas' portfolio to strengthen its capabilities in unmanned ground vehicles and integrated communication systems for drones and robots. Apeiro Motion, based in Israel, specializes in the development of advanced ground robotics, including UGVs, robotic arms, and fiber-optic spooling systems that support secure, radio-independent communication.

Major players in the unmanned ground vehicle (UGV)-launched micro-drone market are Rheinmetall AG, Northrop Grumman Corporation, InfiniDome Ltd., BAE Systems plc, Thales Group, Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd., Elbit Systems Ltd., Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, Diehl Defence GmbH & Co. KG, DJI Innovations, FLIR Systems Inc., AeroVironment Inc., Horiba Mira Ltd., Robotic Research LLC, Silvus Technologies, Paras Defence and Space Technologies, Milrem Robotics, BlueBird Aero Systems Ltd., Heven Drones, and Pegasus Mini.

North America was the largest region in the unmanned ground vehicle (UGV)-launched micro-drone market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in unmanned ground vehicle (UGV)-launched micro-drone report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the unmanned ground vehicle (UGV)-launched micro-drone 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.

An unmanned ground vehicle (UGV)-launched micro-drone is a compact, highly maneuverable aerial system deployed from a robotic ground platform for tasks such as reconnaissance, surveillance, and tactical missions. It merges the mobility of the UGV with the rapid deployment features of a micro-drone, providing access to locations that are hazardous or difficult for humans to reach. These systems are engineered for swift launch, autonomous flight, and real-time data gathering in dynamic operational settings.

The primary types of UGV-launched micro-drones include fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and hybrid models. Fixed-wing micro-drones are lightweight UAVs with rigid wings that generate lift through forward motion, allowing for longer endurance and broader coverage compared to rotary-wing variants. Launch mechanisms can be either automated or manual, and operational ranges are categorized as short, medium, or long. Applications span military and defense, surveillance and reconnaissance, search and rescue, law enforcement, and more, with end users including government, commercial, civil, and other sectors.

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The unmanned ground vehicle (UGV)-launched micro-drone market consists of sales of micro-drones, drone payloads, sensors, cameras, communication modules, battery packs, ground control stations, docking and charging 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.

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