Global Unmanned Composites Market By Types (CFRP, GFRP, AFRP, BFRP), By Platform (UAV, UGV, USV, AUV, ROV, Autonomous Ship, Passenger Drone), By Application (Interior, Exterior), By Region and Key Companies - Industry Segment Outlook, Market Assessment, Competition Scenario, Trends and Forecast 2021–2031

Introduction –

Unmanned systems are characterized as remote or self-controlled systems that possess necessary sensors, information processing centers, automated control, and communication systems required for effective operation. Market growth is being fueled by factors such as increased demand for composite materials to produce lightweight designs, to improve the performance of relatively inexperienced systems, and to increase the number of unmanned systems.

Unmanned composites are the materials used to build various components of unmanned systems such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs), and Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs).

Fiber reinforcement is used in unmanned composites using a resin scheme. The fibers are woven into a cloth, and the matrix serves as the manufacturing joint. Owing to their anti-corrosive, high-strength, and lightweight qualities, unmanned composites are widely used in interior and external aircraft applications.

The demand for lightweight parts in unmanned systems is expected to boost market growth for the unmanned composites industry to a certain extent. Key restraints to this market’s further expansion are a lack of standardization processes, as well as the high costs associated with unmanned composites. However, various possibilities are recognized in the unmanned composite sector.

Detailed Segmentation –

Types:

• Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP)
• Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP)
• Aramid Fiber Reinforced Polymer (AFRP)
• Boron Fiber Reinforced Polymer (BFRP)

Platform:

• Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)
• Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV)
• Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV)
• Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV)
• Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV)
• Autonomous Ship
• Passenger Drone

Application:

• Interior
• Exterior

Market Dynamics –

Drivers:

The demand for composite materials is high due to the ability for these materials to be used to manufacture lightweight structures, thereby improving the performance of unmanned systems as a whole. For instance, the demand for military UAVs has spiked due to their usage in aerial surveillance, law enforcement, search & rescue, armed attacks, reconnaissance, and maritime patrol operations.

Owing to the use of specific composites such as boron fiber and aramid fiber in UAVs, the need for unmanned composites is subsequently increasing, thus propelling the trajectory of the worldwide unmanned composites market forward.

Restraints:

Due to enforced lockdowns and imposed limitations by respective regulatory bodies in the wake of the recent COVID-19 outbreak, the operations of numerous industries have either been temporarily halted or are functioning with reduced personnel. This issue is expected to have a substantially negative influence on the revenue growth of the worldwide unmanned composites market.

Additionally, the high costs associated with the installation and maintenance of these machines is also a factor that could limit the revenue growth of the worldwide unmanned composites market over the forecast period.

Opportunity:

The global unmanned composites market is driven by an increase in demand for lightweight unmanned systems, enhanced performance of unmanned systems to employ composite materials, and the increased usage of unmanned aerial vehicles for military and commercial applications.

However, the absence of standardization in composite materials, and the high manufacturing costs of composite-based unmanned devices are two concerns that may limit this market. The deployment of unmanned vehicles for commercial purposes is surging, as such, the global unmanned composites market is expected to benefit accordingly.

Trends:

Composite materials are made up of at least two different materials with different compositions and physical properties, of which, the fortification material fiber and the coupling material framework are two primary aspects or components.

Lack of standardization in composite materials and the high assembly cost of unmanned gadgets using composite materials are two major concerns that could potentially stymie this industry. By and large, creating unmanned vehicle solutions for commercial applications may lead to high-paying opportunities for companies in this target industry.

Competitive Landscape –

• Gurit
• Hexcel Corporation
• Materion Corporation
• Mitsubishi Rayon
• Owens Corning
• Renegade Materials Corporation
• Solvay
• Stratasys
• Teijin Limited
• Teledyne
• Toray Industries

Recent Developments:

• In March 2019, Hexcel Corporation has teamed with Lavoisier Composites (France) to enhance its product offering with carbon composite materials and carbon composite by-products manufactured by Lavoisier Composites.
• In July 2018, J.H. Teijin Limited was acquired by Teijin Limited. Ziegler GmbH (Germany) is looking to extend its composites product offerings to the automobile industry.

For the Unmanned Composites Market research study, the following years have been considered to estimate the market size: