The global small drones market is anticipated to register a substantial CAGR during the forecast period, between 2021 and 2028. A drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), sometimes known as an unpiloted in-flight (aerial) vehicle and a remotely directed aircraft, or simply as a flying robot. A small drone, as the name implies, is small enough to be carried by a human. Small drones are used to analyze, gather, and synthesize data from various sensors on various objects, locations, or structures. Small drones are piloted remotely and collect data with minimal human intervention and without the requirement for a person on board.
Market Trends, Drivers, Restraints, and Opportunities:
- Increasing procurement of small military drones by defense forces around the world is one of the most important reasons estimated to drive the market.
- Increased demand for surveillance fuels the small drone market.
- Growing adoption of drones for air logistic services, as well as introduction of pocket-sized miniature drones for military operations, are important factors expected to boost the market.
- Rapid technological advances and falling prices are driving the market.
- Changes in government policies, and increasing number of exceptions granted to businesses for the commercial use of small drones, are driving the market.
- Shortage of experienced operators and stringent airspace rules are key factors hampering the market growth.
- High costs associated with components and devices limit the market adoption, hindering the market growth.
- Small drones market has prospective growth opportunities in the future, such as autonomous small drones, particularly for military purposes.
Scope of the report:
The report on the small drones market includes an assessment of the market, size, share, trends, segments, and regional markets. Overview and dynamics have been included in the report.
Attributes
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Details
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Report Title
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Small Drones Market - Global Industry Analysis, Growth, Share, Size, Trends, and Forecast
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Base Year
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2020
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Historic Data
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2018–2019
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Forecast Period
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2021–2028
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Segmentation
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Types (Hybrid/Transitional, Fixed Wing, and Rotary Wing), MTOW (25-150 Kilograms, 5-25 Kilograms, and <5 Kilograms), Power Sources (Hybrid Cells, Fuel Cells, Hydrogen, Lithium-Ion, and Solar Cells), Sizes (Mini Small Drones, Nano Small Drones, and Micro Small Drones), Payloads (Cameras [High-Resolution Cameras, Hyperspectral Cameras, EO/IR Cameras, Multispectral Cameras, and Thermal Cameras], CBRN Sensors, Electronic Intelligence Payloads, and UAV Radar[Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar, and Synthetic Aperture Radar), Applications (Civil & Commercial [Inspection Monitoring, Media Coverage, Photography & Film Production, Product Delivery, Precision Agriculture, Remote Sensing, Scientific Research, Surveying & Mapping, and Wildlife Research & Preservation], Military [Battle Damage Management and Intelligence, Surveillance, & Reconnaissance], Homeland Security [Border Management, Fire Fighting & Disaster Management, Maritime Security, Law Enforcement, Search & Rescue, and Traffic Monitoring], and Consumer [Hobbyist/DIY and Prosumer]),
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Regional Scope
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Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa
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Report Coverage
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Company Share, Market Analysis and Size, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends, and Revenue Forecast
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Key Players Covered in the Report
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Boeing; Textron; DJI; Northrop Grumman; 3D Robotics; Kespry; AeroVironment; Autel Robotics USA; Yuneec; Thales Group; BAE Systems; Delair; Parrot; Elbit Systems Ltd; and Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd.
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Small Drones Market Segment Insights:
The rotary wing segment is projected to hold significant market share
Based on types, the small drones market can be segmented into hybrid/transitional, fixed wing, and rotary wing. The rotary wing segment is projected to hold significant market share, owing to strong need for reconnaissance and surveillance applications in the defense sector. The category is expanding due to outstanding easy vertical takeoff, aerial operations, and landing, and great aerial photography efficiency. The business sector is also seeing an increase in demand for rotary wing drones, which are utilized in wildlife surveys, agricultural, search & rescue operations, law enforcement, firefighting, disaster management, and photography.

The 5-25 kilograms segment is anticipated to account for a substantial share
On the basis of MTOW, the market can be segregated into 25-150 kilograms, 5-25 kilograms, and <5 kilograms. The 5-25 kilograms segment is anticipated to account for a substantial share. Drone precision, efficiency, and dependability are being improved through technological advancements in software-based platforms for mobile applications and drone-based ICT tools. Furthermore, the small drones may transport disaster assistance, firefighting equipment, and emergency food supplies, and medical supplies to other places.

The lithium-ion segment is projected to grow at a rapid pace during the forecast period
In terms of power sources, the small drones market can be fragmented into hybrid cells, fuel cells, hydrogen, lithium-ion, and solar cells. The lithium-ion segment is projected to grow at a rapid pace during the forecast period. Advances in lithium-sulfur and lithium-metal technology are anticipated to accelerate the growth of the lithium-ion segment.
The mini drones segment is estimated to expand at a rapid pace during the projected period
Based on sizes, the market can be divided into mini small drones, nano small drones, and micro small drones. The mini drones segment is estimated to expand at a rapid pace during the projected period. The expansion of micro drone market is being driven by high operational efficiency and increased demand for improved monitoring. The nano UAV segment is majorly driven by rising demand from various industry verticals such as military, civic, commercial, and others. Nano UAVs are rapidly being utilized in real estate surveys, oil & gas pipeline inspection, and similar infrastructure monitoring, aerial photography, surveying, and mapping.
The sensors segment is projected to expand at a high CAGR in the near future
On the basis of payloads, the small drones market can be segmented into cameras, CRBN sensors, electronic intelligence payloads, and UAV radar. Cameras segment can be further divided into high-resolution cameras, hyperspectral cameras, EO/IR cameras, multispectral cameras, and thermal cameras. Additionally, the UAV radar segment can be further bifurcated into active electronically scanned array radar and synthetic aperture radar.
The military segment expands at a rapid pace in the coming years
In terms of applications, the market can be segregated into civil & commercial, military, homeland security, and consumer. The civil & commercial segment can be further classified as inspection monitoring, media coverage, photography & film production, product delivery, precision agriculture, remote sensing, scientific research, surveying & mapping, and wildlife research & preservation. Furthermore, the military segment can be categorized as battle damage management and intelligence, surveillance, & reconnaissance. The homeland security segment can be split into border management, firefighting & disaster management, maritime security, law enforcement, search & rescue, and traffic monitoring. Additionally, the consumer segment can be bifurcated into hobbyist/DIY and prosumer. The military segment expands at a rapid pace in the coming years, owing to rising demand for military operations like as surveillance and intelligence operations in a number of nations. The increasing need of small drones for border patrolling and security, homeland surveillance, border management, and logistics and transportation is expected to drive the market.
North America is expected to dominate the market
In terms of regions, the small drones market is classified as Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. North America is expected to dominate the market, due to the growing demand of drones for military operations, logistics, and transportation. This, combined with the existence of established manufacturing vendors, businesses, and distributors in the United States and Canada, is expected to lead to the region's dominance in the small drone market.
Segments
By Types
- Hybrid/Transitional
- Fixed Wing
- Rotary Wing
By MTOW
- 25-150 Kilograms
- 5-25 Kilograms
- <5 Kilograms
By Power Sources
- Hybrid Cells
- Fuel Cells
- Hydrogen
- Lithium-ion
- Solar Cells
By Sizes
- Mini Small Drones
- Nano Small Drones
- Micro Small Drones
By Payloads
- Cameras
- High-resolution Cameras
- Hyperspectral Cameras
- EO/IR Cameras
- Multispectral Cameras
- Thermal Cameras
- CBRN Sensors
- Electronic Intelligence Payloads
- UAV Radar
- Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar
- Synthetic Aperture Radar
By Applications
- Civil & Commercial
- Inspection Monitoring
- Media Coverage
- Photography & Film Production
- Product Delivery
- Precision Agriculture
- Remote Sensing
- Scientific Research
- Surveying & Mapping
- Wildlife Research & Preservation
- Military
- Battle Damage Management
- Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance
- Homeland Security
- Border Management
- Fire Fighting & Disaster Management
- Maritime Security
- Law Enforcement
- Search & Rescue
- Traffic Monitoring
- Consumer
By Regions
- Asia Pacific
- North America
- Latin America
- Europe
- Middle East & Africa
By Key Players
- Boeing
- Textron
- DJI
- Northrop Grumman
- 3D Robotics
- Kespry
- AeroVironment
- Autel Robotics USA
- Yuneec
- Thales Group
- BAE Systems
- Delair
- Parrot
- Elbit Systems Ltd
- Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd
Competitive Landscape
Key players in the small drones market include Boeing; Textron; DJI; Northrop Grumman; 3D Robotics; Kespry; AeroVironment; Autel Robotics USA; Yuneec; Thales Group; BAE Systems; Delair; Parrot; Elbit Systems Ltd; and Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. These players have constantly engaged in various market development activities including collaborations, agreements, mergers & acquisitions, production capacity expansion, new product launches, and partnerships to increase their market share.