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The fuel cells for military unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 9.82% between 2023 and 2028. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 232.91 million. The growth of the market depends on several factors such as the rising need for extended flight time, the rising development of hydrogen infrastructure, and the adoption of fuel cells to decrease dependency on imported oil.
This fuel cells for military unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) market report extensively covers market segmentation by product (hydrogen fuel cell, proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell, and solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC)), type (tactical UAV, mini UAV, micro UAV, medium altitude long endurance (male) UAV, and high altitude long endurance (HALE) UAV), and geography (North America, APAC, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America). It also includes an in-depth analysis of drivers, trends, and challenges. Furthermore, the report includes historic market data from 2018 - 2022.
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Our researchers analyzed the data with 2023 as the base year, along with the key drivers, trends, and challenges. A holistic analysis of drivers will help companies refine their marketing strategies to gain a competitive advantage.
One of the key factors driving the fuel cells for military unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) market growth is the rising development of hydrogen infrastructure. A robust hydrogen infrastructure is important to ensure a consistent and secure supply of hydrogen fuel for fuel cell-powered military UAVs. In addition, this infrastructure includes hydrogen production, storage, and distribution facilities.
Moreover, the presence of hydrogen refueling stations or facilities for military operations facilitates fuel cell-powered UAVs to operate with extended range and endurance. In addition, this is particularly critical for surveillance, reconnaissance, and intelligence-gathering missions. Furthermore, having access to hydrogen infrastructure allows military organizations to deploy fuel cell UAVs in a wider range of geographic areas. Hence, such factors are driving the market growth during the forecast period.
A key factor shaping the fuel cells for military unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) market growth is the emergence of formira hydrogen-on-demand technology. The formira hydrogen-on-demand technology generates hydrogen from liquid formic acid, which is a safe source for the process. In addition, in this process, formic acid is transferred from the tank to a reformer, where hydrogen is generated.
Moreover, the hydrogen produced is instantly consumed by the stack. In addition, while the electrolysis process helps to start up and shut down the system, the fuel cells help run the system without interruption and charge the battery set continuously. Therefore, these features enable high modularity and, in turn, reflect a compact design. Hence, such factors are positively impacting the fuel cells for the military unmanned aerial vehicle market. Therefore, it is expected to drive the market growth during the forecast period.
The disintegration of hydrogen molecules at high temperatures is one of the key challenges hindering the fuel cells for military unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) market growth. As military UAVs and conventional fixed-wing aircraft are subjected to severe temperatures during their operations, the hydrogen present in the fuel cell disintegrates due to excess heat and becomes unstable at high temperatures. In addition, this may trigger an exothermic reaction and affect the continuous and smooth-running UAVs.
Moreover, the storage of hydrogen also poses a problem, as hydrogen is extremely flammable in nature. Therefore, it must be stored in special tanks to prevent fission reactions from occurring. Furthermore, in case of leakage, it will have a severe impact on the nearby environment and people. Hence, such factors are negatively impacting the fuel cells for the military unmanned aerial vehicle market. Therefore, it is expected to hinder the market growth during the forecast period.
The market research report includes the adoption lifecycle of the market, covering from the innovator’s stage to the laggard’s stage. It focuses on adoption rates in different regions based on penetration. Furthermore, the report also includes key purchase criteria and drivers of price sensitivity to help companies evaluate and develop their growth strategies.
Global Fuel Cells for Military Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Market Customer Landscape
Companies are implementing various strategies, such as strategic alliances, partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, geographical expansion, and product/service launches, to enhance their presence in the market.
AeroVironment Inc: The company offers fuel cells for military unmanned aerial vehicles such as hybridized proton exchange membrane fuel cell, which employs a lithium-ion battery to provide peak power during takeoff and dash maneuvers.
The research report also includes detailed analyses of the competitive landscape of the market and information about 15 market companies, including:
Qualitative and quantitative analysis of companies has been conducted to help clients understand the wider business environment as well as the strengths and weaknesses of key market players. Data is qualitatively analyzed to categorize companies as pure play, category-focused, industry-focused, and diversified; it is quantitatively analyzed to categorize companies as dominant, leading, strong, tentative, and weak.
The hydrogen fuel cell segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period. This segment offers significantly longer flight endurance compared to traditional batteries or internal combustion engines. In addition, this is crucial for military missions that require extended loitering times or long-distance travel. Furthermore, hydrogen fuel cells produce electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, emitting only water vapor as a byproduct. As a result, this makes them a greener and more environmentally friendly choice compared to conventional UAV power sources.
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The hydrogen fuel cell segment was the largest segment and was valued at USD 127.21 million in 2018. Moreover, hydrogen fuel cells are quieter than internal combustion engines, which can be advantageous for stealthy military operations. In addition, hydrogen fuel cells can be designed to meet specific power and range requirements. UAVs of various sizes, from small tactical drones to larger, high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) vehicles, can be equipped with hydrogen fuel cells. Furthermore, hydrogen fuel cells offer military UAVs with an extended operational range and the ability to carry heavier payloads, making them versatile for military missions. Hence, such factors are fuelling the growth of this segment which in turn will drive the market growth during the forecast period.
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North America is estimated to contribute 33% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period. Technavio’s analysts have elaborately explained the regional trends and drivers that shape the market during the forecast period. Factors such as the growing need for security and surveillance, the demand for UAVs with improved endurance capability, and the presence of military-grade remotely piloted aircraft in the region are contributing to the fuel cells for military UAV market growth in North America.
Moreover, the United States Department of Defense US DOD intends to adopt environment-friendly sources of energy in its platforms, which projects fuel cells as a viable option. In addition, fuel cell batteries have the potential to offer significantly longer flight times compared to traditional lithium-polymer batteries. Furthermore, there is a significant demand for tactical and mini-UAV segments in the region due to their varying capabilities, such as surveillance and real-time data transmission. Hence, such factors are driving the market growth in North America during the forecast period.
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the growth of the global fuel cells for the military unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) market witnessed a significant slowdown due to the temporary suspension of manufacturing facilities and disruptions in the supply chain in North America. However, in 2021, the initiation of large-scale vaccination drives lifted the lockdown and travel restrictions, which led to the reopening of manufacturing facilities. Such factors are expected to drive the market during the forecast period
The fuel cells for the military unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) market report forecasts market growth by revenue at global, regional & country levels and provides an analysis of the latest trends and growth opportunities from 2018 to 2028.
Fuel Cells For Military Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Market Scope |
|
Report Coverage |
Details |
Page number |
180 |
Base year |
2023 |
Historic period |
2018-2022 |
Forecast period |
2024-2028 |
Growth momentum & CAGR |
Accelerate at a CAGR of 9.82% |
Market growth 2024-2028 |
USD 232.91 million |
Market structure |
Fragmented |
YoY growth 2023-2024(%) |
8.6 |
Regional analysis |
North America, APAC, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America |
Performing market contribution |
North America at 33% |
Key countries |
US, Canada, China, Japan, and UK |
Competitive landscape |
Leading Companies, Market Positioning of Companies, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks |
Key companies profiled |
AeroVironment Inc., Aviation Turkey, Ballard Power Systems Inc., Barnard Microsystems Ltd., Cobham Ltd., Doosan Corp., Elbit Systems Ltd., General Dynamics Corp., H3 Dynamics Holdings Pte. Ltd., Honeywell International Inc., Intelligent Energy Ltd., Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd., ISS Aerospace, MMC, Northrop Grumman Corp., Plug Power Inc., Textron Inc., The Boeing Co., TW Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies, and ZeroAvia Inc. |
Market dynamics |
Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID 19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, Market condition analysis for forecast period |
Customization purview |
If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized. |
We can help! Our analysts can customize this market research report to meet your requirements.
1 Executive Summary
2 Market Landscape
3 Market Sizing
4 Historic Market Size
5 Five Forces Analysis
6 Market Segmentation by Product
7 Market Segmentation by Type
8 Customer Landscape
9 Geographic Landscape
10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends
11 Vendor Landscape
12 Vendor Analysis
13 Appendix
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