The 3D-printed drones market is projected to grow from USD 707 million in 2024 to USD 1,891 million by 2029, at a CAGR of 21.8% from 2024 to 2029. Enhanced customization and rapid prototyping capabilities of 3D printing and short supply chain of drone components to drive the 3D-printed Drones market growth during the forecast period.
Scope of the Report
Years Considered for the Study
2020-2029
Base Year
2023
Forecast Period
2024-2029
Units Considered
Value (USD Billion)
Segments
By Component, Type, Platform, Application, Manufacturing Technique and Region
Regions covered
North America, Europe, APAC, RoW
The growth of 3D printed drone market can be attributed to the rising demand for advanced drone solutions and services from commercial, military, and government & law enforcement applications. 3D printing offers several benefits in the drone industry. However, material strength and durability limitations can be a concern for specific drone components requiring high structural integrity. The production speed for large-scale manufacturing is also slower than traditional methods, and the cost of 3D printing materials and equipment can be relatively high. Despite these challenges, the continued advancements in 3D printing technology are expected to expand its applicability and efficiency in drone manufacturing, making it an increasingly viable option for producing high-performing UAVs.
Key players in the 3D-printed drones market include Boeing (US), Parrot Drone SAS (France), General Atomics (US), and AeroVironment, Inc. (US), among others. These players make several strategic decisions to strengthen their position in the market and meet evolving consumer demands. For instance, Boeing's subsidiary Aurora Flight Sciences, with its manufacturing facilities, in-house 3D printers, and strong distribution networks across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World, significantly contributes to the 3D-printed drones market.
"Based on manufacturing techniques, the polymerization segment to grow at highest CAGR during forecast period."
The market has been categorized into different types based on manufacturing techniques, including material extrusion, polymerization, powder bed fusion, and other manufacturing techniques.
Methodology of polymerization Drone manufacturing is changing due to 3D printing techniques including digital light processing (DLP), stereolithography (SLA), and continuous liquid interface fabrication (CLIP), these techniques are known for their potential superiority and accuracy. SLA facilitates the fabrication of complex drone parts with smooth surfaces by layer-curing liquid photopolymer resin using a UV laser. Combining micromechanical properties with aerodynamic efficiency depends on this accuracy. Meanwhile, CLIP rapidly cures the resin with a series of continuous UV images projected through oxygen-permeable glass. This process has advantages over traditional processes in manufacturing speed and material strength, enabling complex drone parts to be produced in a fraction of the time The resin is cured rapidly and uniformly by DLP with a digital projector screen use to illuminate a single image located around each layer above the stage. This technology is especially helpful when manufacturing multiple drone parts at once as it provides uniformity and maximizes productivity.
"Based on Application, commercial segment witness strong growth in market during the forecast period."
The 3D-printed drones market is segmented into military, commercial, government & law enforcement, and consumer based on application segment.
Drones are widely used in ISR, combat operations, and the military in combat casualty management. General Atomics (US), Northrop Grumman (US), and Israel Aerospace Industries (Israel) are major suppliers of 3D printed drones for military applications.
Government & law enforcement applications use drones for border control, traffic control, fire & disaster management, maritime security, search and rescue, and police operations & investigations. Meanwhile, commercial drones are used for the skies imaging, survey monitoring, survey mapping , in remote sensing , logistics, industrial and warehousing, passenger and public transport applications. Parrot Drone SAS (France), Yuneec (China), and PrecisionHawk (US) provides 3D-printed drones for commercial applications.
"The North America regions held largest market share in 2023."
In recent years, the adoption of 3D-printed drones in the US has increased dramatically, due to advances in additive manufacturing technology The country is leading the way in leveraging 3D printing to rapidly prototype and manufacture customized UAVs for the defense sector e.g together with 3D printed Small UAV for research purposes. Drones with this on-demand capacity can now be used to strategically address changing combat scenarios by significantly increasing mission flexibility and lowering logistical expenses.
Similar to this, last-mile deliveries are being made by UPS and Amazon, two logistics firms, with the use of 3D printed drones. Drone delivery is the goal of the Amazon Prime Air program, and 3D printing is essential to producing lightweight, customised drones that satisfy particular business requirements. Drones that are 3D printed are also being used by businesses like Precision Hawk to improve precision farming methods. These drones are equipped with special sensors, monitor crop health, monitor irrigation and provide supplies more efficient use, maximizing productivity and cost savings The ability to rapidly prototype drones according to specific requirements has accelerated innovation and enables companies to meet market demands faster.
The break-up of the profiles of primary participants in the 3D-printed drones market is as follows:
By Company Type: Tier 1-49%; Tier 2-37%; and Tier 3-14%
By Designation: C Level Executives-55%; Directors-27%; and Others-18%
By Region: North America-55%; Europe-20%; Asia Pacific-15%; and Rest of the World-10%;
Major players in the 3D-printed drones market are Boeing (US), AeroVironment, Inc. (US), Parrot Drone SAS (France), General Atomics (US), and Skydio, Inc. (US).
Research Coverage
This research report classifies the 3D-printed drones market into various segments based on several criteria. These segments include segments namely By Component, By Type, By Application, By platform, By Manufacturing Techniques, and By geographis.
By Component: frames & arms, propellers, landing gears, wing structures, mounts & holders, enclosures, and other parts, By Type: fixed-wing drones, rotary-wing drones, and hybrid drones, By Platform: civil & commercial, and defense & government, By Application: military, commercial, government & law enforcement, and consumer, By Manufacturing Techniques: material extrusion, polymerization, powder bed fusion, and other manufacturing techniques, By Geographic Regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World
The report's scope encompasses comprehensive details regarding key factors influencing the growth of the 3D-printed drones market, including drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities. Additionally, the report conducts a thorough analysis of major industry players, providing insights into their business profiles, offered solutions and services, key strategies, as well as their involvement in contracts, joint ventures, partnerships, agreements, acquisitions, and new product launches related to the 3D-printed drones market. Furthermore, the report includes a competitive analysis of emerging startups within the 3D-printed drones market ecosystem.
Reasons to Buy this Report
This report is expected to help market leaders/new entrants with information on the closest approximations of the revenue numbers for the overall 3D-printed drones market and its segments. This study is also expected to provide region wise information about the end-use industrial sectors, wherein 3D-printed drones is used. This report aims at helping the stakeholders understand the competitive landscape of the market, gain insights to improve the position of their businesses, and plan suitable go-to-market strategies. This report is also expected to help them understand the pulse of the market and provide them with information on key drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities influencing the growth of the market.
The report provides insights on the following pointers:
Market Penetration: Comprehensive information on 3D-printed drones offered by the top players in the market
Product Development/Innovation: Detailed insights on upcoming technologies, research & development activities, and new product launches in the 3D-printed drones market
Market Development: Comprehensive information about lucrative markets - the report analyzes the 3D-printed drones market across varied regions
Market Diversification: Exhaustive information about new products, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments in the 3D-printed drones market
Market Growth: Supportive government regulations and initiatives to drive the market growth in near future
Competitive Assessment: In-depth assessment of market shares, growth strategies, products, and manufacturing capabilities of leading players in the 3D-printed drones market
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 STUDY OBJECTIVES
1.2 MARKET DEFINITION
1.2.1 INCLUSIONS AND EXCLUSIONS
1.3 STUDY SCOPE
1.3.1 MARKETS COVERED
1.3.2 YEARS CONSIDERED
1.4 CURRENCY CONSIDERED
1.5 STAKEHOLDERS
2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
2.1 RESEARCH DATA
2.1.1 SECONDARY DATA
2.1.1.1 Key data from secondary sources
2.1.2 PRIMARY DATA
2.1.2.1 Primary sources
2.1.2.2 Key data from primary sources
2.1.2.3 Breakdown of primary interviews
2.1.2.4 Insights from industry experts
2.2 FACTOR ANALYSIS
2.2.1 INTRODUCTION
2.2.2 DEMAND-SIDE INDICATORS
2.2.3 SUPPLY-SIDE INDICATORS
2.3 MARKET SIZE ESTIMATION
2.3.1 BOTTOM-UP APPROACH
2.3.1.1 Market size estimation analysis, by application
2.3.1.2 Pricing analysis
2.3.1.3 Market size estimation methodology
2.3.2 TOP-DOWN APPROACH
2.4 DATA TRIANGULATION
2.5 RESEARCH ASSUMPTIONS
2.6 RESEARCH LIMITATIONS
2.7 RISK ASSESSMENT
3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
4 PREMIUM INSIGHTS
4.1 ATTRACTIVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PLAYERS IN 3D-PRINTED DRONES MARKET
4.2 3D-PRINTED ROTARY-WING DRONES MARKET, BY TYPE
4.3 3D-PRINTED DRONES MARKET, BY CIVIL & COMMERCIAL PLATFORM
4.4 3D-PRINTED DRONES MARKET, BY DEFENSE & GOVERNMENT PLATFORM
4.5 3D-PRINTED DRONES MARKET, BY COMPONENT
4.6 3D-PRINTED DRONES MARKET, BY MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUE
5 MARKET OVERVIEW
5.1 INTRODUCTION
5.2 MARKET DYNAMICS
5.2.1 DRIVERS
5.2.1.1 Enhanced customization and rapid prototyping capabilities of 3D printing
5.2.1.2 Cost efficiencies in drone production
5.2.1.3 Government funding for 3D printing projects
5.2.1.4 Short supply chain of drone components
5.2.2 RESTRAINTS
5.2.2.1 Stringent industry certifications and lack of process control
5.2.2.2 Limited material availability
5.2.3 OPPORTUNITIES
5.2.3.1 Development of new 3D printing technologies
5.2.3.2 High investments in commercial drone industry
5.2.4 CHALLENGES
5.2.4.1 Product quality compliance
5.3 TRENDS AND DISRUPTIONS IMPACTING CUSTOMERS' BUSINESSES
5.4 VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS
5.5 ECOSYSTEM ANALYSIS
5.5.1 PROMINENT COMPANIES
5.5.2 PRIVATE AND SMALL ENTERPRISES
5.5.3 END USERS
5.6 USE CASE ANALYSIS
5.6.1 3D-PRINTED DRONES FOR DISASTER MANAGEMENT
5.6.2 3D-PRINTED DRONES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING
5.6.3 3D-PRINTED DRONES FOR INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND RECONNAISSANCE
5.7 TRADE ANALYSIS
5.7.1 IMPORT VALUE OF (PRODUCT HARMONIZED SYSTEM CODE: 8806) UNMANNED AIRCRAFT
5.7.2 EXPORT VALUE OF (PRODUCT HARMONIZED SYSTEM CODE: 8806) UNMANNED AIRCRAFT
5.8 KEY STAKEHOLDERS AND BUYING CRITERIA
5.8.1 KEY STAKEHOLDERS IN BUYING PROCESS
5.8.2 BUYING CRITERIA
5.9 PRICING ANALYSIS
5.9.1 INDICATIVE PRICING ANALYSIS OF 3D-DRONE PLATFORMS OFFERED BY KEY PLAYERS
5.9.2 INDICATIVE PRICING ANALYSIS, BY REGION
5.10 BILL OF MATERIALS
5.11 BUSINESS MODELS
5.11.1 DIRECT SALE MODEL
5.11.2 CUSTOMIZATION AND ON-DEMAND MANUFACTURING MODEL
5.11.3 IN-HOUSE PRODUCTION AND OUTSOURCING WITH RESPECT TO BUSINESS MODELS
5.12 TECHNOLOGY ROADMAP
5.13 TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIP
5.14 REGULATORY LANDSCAPE
5.15 KEY CONFERENCES AND EVENTS, 2024-2025
5.16 INVESTMENT AND FUNDING SCENARIO
5.17 OPERATIONAL DATA
5.18 VOLUME DATA
5.19 IMPACT OF GENERATIVE AI ON 3D-PRINTED DRONES MARKET
5.19.1 INTRODUCTION
5.19.2 ADOPTION OF GENERATIVE AI IN DRONES BY TOP COUNTRIES
5.19.3 IMPACT OF GENERATIVE AI ON DRONE APPLICATIONS
5.19.4 IMPACT OF GENERATIVE AI ON 3D-PRINTED DRONES MARKET
6 INDUSTRY TRENDS
6.1 INTRODUCTION
6.2 TECHNOLOGY TRENDS
6.2.1 DRONE SWARMING
6.2.2 MULTI-MATERIAL 3D PRINTING
6.2.3 MINIATURIZATION
6.2.4 HYBRID MANUFACTURING
6.2.5 ADVANCED MATERIALS
6.3 IMPACT OF MEGATRENDS
6.3.1 SUSTAINABILITY
6.3.2 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND MACHINE LEARNING
6.3.3 CUSTOMIZATION
6.4 SUPPLY CHAIN ANALYSIS
6.5 PATENT ANALYSIS
7 3D-PRINTED DRONES MARKET, BY COMPONENT
7.1 INTRODUCTION
7.2 FRAMES & ARMS
7.2.1 INCREASING DEMAND FOR LIGHTWEIGHT AND DURABLE STRUCTURES TO DRIVE MARKET
7.3 WING STRUCTURES
7.3.1 RISING USE OF ADVANCED 3D PRINTING MATERIALS TO DRIVE MARKET
7.4 LANDING GEARS
7.4.1 OPTIMIZED PERFORMANCE WITH ITERATIVE DESIGNS TO DRIVE MARKET
7.5 PROPELLERS
7.5.1 ONGOING INNOVATIONS WITH ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUES TO DRIVE MARKET
7.6 ENCLOSURES
7.6.1 NEED FOR SAFEGUARDING DRONE ELECTRONICS TO DRIVE MARKET
7.7 MOUNTS & HOLDERS
7.7.1 ACCELERATED DEVELOPMENT CYCLES WITH 3D PRINTING TO DRIVE MARKET
7.8 OTHER PARTS
8 3D-PRINTED DRONES MARKET, BY TYPE
8.1 INTRODUCTION
8.2 FIXED-WING DRONES
8.2.1 ADVANTAGES OF 3D PRINTING OVER TRADITIONAL MANUFACTURING TO DRIVE MARKET
8.3 ROTARY-WING DRONES
8.3.1 IMPROVED FLIGHT PERFORMANCE WITH LIGHTWEIGHT STRUCTURES TO DRIVE MARKET
8.3.1.1 Single rotor
8.3.1.2 Multirotor
8.3.1.2.1 Bicopters
8.3.1.2.2 Tricopters
8.3.1.2.3 Quadcopters
8.3.1.2.4 Hexacopters
8.3.1.2.5 Octocopters
8.4 HYBRID DRONES
8.4.1 REDUCED MAINTENANCE COSTS WITH ON-DEMAND MANUFACTURING TO DRIVE MARKET
9 3D-PRINTED DRONES MARKET, BY PLATFORM
9.1 INTRODUCTION
9.2 CIVIL & COMMERCIAL
9.2.1 HIGH DEMAND FOR LIGHTWEIGHT AND EFFICIENT DRONES TO DRIVE MARKET
9.2.2 SMALL
9.2.3 MEDIUM & LARGE
9.3 DEFENSE & GOVERNMENT
9.3.1 EXTENSIVE USE OF DRONES FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND GOVERNANCE APPLICATIONS TO DRIVE MARKET
9.3.2 SMALL
9.3.3 MEDIUM & LARGE
10 3D-PRINTED DRONES MARKET, BY APPLICATION
10.1 INTRODUCTION
10.2 MILITARY
10.2.1 ADOPTION OF ADVANCED DRONE TECHNOLOGIES IN MODERN WARFARE TO DRIVE MARKET
10.3 COMMERCIAL
10.3.1 INTEGRATION OF HIGH-RESOLUTION CAMERAS AND AUTOPILOT SYSTEMS IN DRONES TO DRIVE MARKET
10.4 GOVERNMENT & LAW ENFORCEMENT
10.4.1 RISING DEPLOYMENT OF DRONES TO ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY TO DRIVE MARKET
10.5 CONSUMER
10.5.1 TREND OF RECREATIONAL USE TO DRIVE MARKET
11 3D-PRINTED DRONES MARKET, BY MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUE
11.1 INTRODUCTION
11.2 MATERIAL EXTRUSION
11.3 POLYMERIZATION
11.4 POWDER BED FUSION
11.5 OTHER MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUES
12 3D-PRINTED DRONES MARKET, BY REGION
12.1 INTRODUCTION
12.2 NORTH AMERICA
12.2.1 PESTLE ANALYSIS
12.2.2 US
12.2.2.1 Advancements in additive manufacturing technology to drive market
12.2.3 CANADA
12.2.3.1 Increasing demand for 3D-printed drones from mining and agriculture sectors to drive market
12.3 ASIA PACIFIC
12.3.1 PESTLE ANALYSIS
12.3.2 CHINA
12.3.2.1 Significant presence of drone manufacturing companies to drive market
12.3.3 INDIA
12.3.3.1 Indigenous manufacturing of 3D-printed drones to drive market
12.3.4 JAPAN
12.3.4.1 Initiatives such as Society 5.0 to drive market
12.3.5 AUSTRALIA
12.3.5.1 Government investments in 3D printing technology to drive market
12.3.6 SOUTH KOREA
12.3.6.1 Rising development of drones using advanced additive manufacturing techniques to drive market
12.3.7 REST OF ASIA PACIFIC
12.4 EUROPE
12.4.1 PESTLE ANALYSIS
12.4.2 UK
12.4.2.1 Ongoing innovations in drone technology to drive market
12.4.3 GERMANY
12.4.3.1 Rapid development and deployment of advanced drones to drive market
12.4.4 FRANCE
12.4.4.1 Rising incorporation of 3D printing by domestic drone manufacturers to drive market
12.4.5 ITALY
12.4.5.1 Increasing adoption of 3D printing by aerospace and defense companies to drive market
12.4.6 RUSSIA
12.4.6.1 Surge in military spending to drive market
12.4.7 REST OF EUROPE
12.5 REST OF THE WORLD
12.5.1 PESTLE ANALYSIS
12.5.2 MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA
12.5.2.1 Strategic research investments to drive market
12.5.3 LATIN AMERICA
12.5.3.1 Steady shift toward 3D printing technology to drive market
13 COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
13.1 INTRODUCTION
13.2 KEY PLAYER STRATEGIES/RIGHT TO WIN, 2020-2024
13.3 MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS, 2023
13.4 REVENUE ANALYSIS, 2020-2023
13.5 COMPANY EVALUATION MATRIX: KEY PLAYERS, 2023
13.5.1 STARS
13.5.2 EMERGING LEADERS
13.5.3 PERVASIVE PLAYERS
13.5.4 PARTICIPANTS
13.5.5 COMPANY FOOTPRINT
13.6 COMPANY EVALUATION MATRIX: START-UPS/SMES, 2023