Aircraft Actuator Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Motion (Linear, Rotary), By Actuator Type (Hydraulic, Pneumatic, Electric, Electromechanical, Electrohydrostatic), By Platform (Fixed-Wing, Rotary-Wing), By Installation (Power Generation & Distribution System, Flight Control System, Fuel Management System, Landing Gear & Braking System, Passenger Comfort, Others), By End-User (OEM, Aftermarket), and Regional Forecast, 2023-2030

The global aircraft actuator market size was valued at USD 17.36 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow from USD 19.01 billion in 2023 to USD 32.16 billion by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 8.06% during the forecast period.

An actuator is a component that controls the movement of a system by converting the input control signal into mechanical motion. Aircraft actuators are used in flight control systems, fuel management systems, power generation & transmission systems, and others. Aircraft actuation systems core functions majorly cater to flow control or the motion control of different systems in aircraft. The actuation components include servo motors, electric motors, power transfer units, valve actuators, generators, pumps, and others.

The demand for aircraft actuators is growing due to increasing aircraft deliveries, a rise in the air passenger travel from different emerging economies such as China and India. Aircraft manufacturers are switching to electric actuators from conventional hydraulic actuators considering the superiority and benefits of these actuators such as increased efficiency, low weight, and no leakage. This in turn is expected to drive the growth of the market for electric actuators in the future.

COVID-19 IMPACT

COVID-19 Pandemic Negatively Impacted Market due to Reduced Deployment for Aircraft

The aerospace industry was severely affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, lockdown had been imposed that led to abrupt disruption of global supply chains since all aerospace operations were stopped that plunged demand for aerospace components. Eventually, the aircraft orders started increasing, leading to an overall increase in global demand for aircraft actuators. Additionally, the recent Russia-Ukraine war has positively affected the demand for military aircraft and helicopters. Therefore, as the global economy evolves from the pandemic, the market is expected to grow in the forecast period. 

LATEST TRENDS

Replacing Conventional Hydraulic Actuators with All-Electric or Electro-Hydrostatic Actuators to Accentuate Market Growth

The concept of more electric aircraft (MEA) has propelled the development of electrical actuation systems and have replaced conventional hydraulic actuators in various aircraft applications. Electric actuators are commonly used in the development of more electric aircraft. Electromechanical and piezoelectric actuators are the trending actuator systems that meet the requirements related to weight, reliability, space, and environmental conditions. Major market players such as the Lockheed Martin Corporation, the Boeing Company, and Northrop Grumman Corporation have estimated MEA to save procurement cost, and the low-cost carrier (LCC) cost, which in turn is expected to boost electric aircrafts’ production and demand. For instance,

• In April 2023, Joby Aviation, a U.S. based aviation company, extended their partnership with Toyota Motor Corporation to support mass production of electric eVTOL in the U.S.    

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DRIVING FACTORS

Rise in Demand for Autonomous Aircraft in Aircraft Operations Supports Market Growth

Autonomous aircraft have the potential to provide increased fuel savings, deliver a solution to pilot shortages, and reduce the operating costs of airlines. In June 2018, Airbus launched Autonomous Taxi, Take-Off & Landing (ATTOL) project to understand the impact of autonomy on aircraft. Additionally, in January 2020, Airbus completed the first fully automatic vision-based take-off using an airbus family test aircraft at Toulouse-Blagnac airport. The demand for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) is rising owing to increase in the use of UAVs for commercial and military applications. The use of UAVs in the military aviation sector for life-threatening missions, modern warfare techniques, and patrolling of marine borders is fueling the growth of the market for UAV.

Increased Demand for Commercial Aircraft to Boost Market Growth

The rising demand for air travel and aircraft deliveries has increased the demand for commercial aircraft. The growing number of aircraft deliveries in emerging economies, such as China and India, in Asia Pacific is anticipated to be a major factor driving the aircraft actuator market growth. As stated by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), air traffic is anticipated to double by 2037; this will create the need for approximately more than 37,000 new passengers and freight aircraft.   

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Stringent Government Regulations are Restraining the Growth of the Market

OEMs have to follow strict certifications and guidelines and are named as Airworthiness Directives (AD) related to design, safety, and leakage concerns regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The ADs are legally mandatory regulations issued by the FAA to correct an unsafe condition in a product. For instance, the FAA issued an AD in 2009 for certain Hawker Beechcraft Corporation Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D airplanes that required repetitive ultrasonic inspections and one-time visual examination of the main landing gear actuators for cracks or leaking with the replacement of the aircraft actuator if cracks or leaking are found.  Such circumstances could lead to an inability to extend or lock down in the landing gear, which could also result in a gear collapse or gear up landing. The time-consuming lengthy process of passing the certification is thereby restraining the market growth.

SEGMENTATION

By Motion Analysis

Linear Segment to Gain Momentum During the Forecast Period Owing to Controllability and Accuracy

By motion, the market is segmented into linear and rotary. The linear segment was estimated to be the largest segment in the market, owing to its accuracy and controllability. The linear segment is also predicted to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period.

The rise in demand for electro-mechanical linear actuators, such as ball screw actuators in the aircraft is predicted to accelerate the growth of the market. The rotary segment is expected to play a vital role in the growth of the market. The rise in the adoption of servo motors in the flight control system is predicted to fuel the growth of the market. 

By Actuator Type Analysis

Growth in Demand for Electromechanical Actuators to Propel the Market Growth

By actuator type, the market is divided into hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, electromechanical, and electrohydrostatic. The hydraulic segment is expected to be the dominating segment. Hydraulic actuators are getting more popular as they have benefits such as integrated redundancy in case of failure, overload protection, and free-floating control surface, which is widely used in conventional aircraft, which is fueling the growth of the market.

Electromechanical Actuators (EMA) include a combination of electrical & mechanical. The EMA segment is expected to witness significant growth in the market during the forecast period due to its accuracy and efficiency. EMAs are mostly used in aircraft seat actuation systems. The electric segment is expected to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period owing to the rising trend of more electric aircraft to save procurement cost and fuel consumption.

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By Platform Analysis

Fixed-Wing Expected to Dominate the Largest Share of the Market Due to Increased Aircraft Deliveries

By platform, the market is segmented by fixed-wing and rotary-wing. In 2022, the fixed-wing segment was estimated to be the largest segment of the market due to increased demand for aircraft across several sectors such as commercial, military, and general aviation.

The fixed-wing segment is further divided into commercial aircraft, business aircraft, military aircraft, and general aviation aircraft. The upsurge in air transport is the key factor in strengthening the growth of this segment.

The rotary wing segment is classified into military helicopter and commercial helicopter. The segment is expected to be the fastest-growing segment of the market during the forecast period owing to the rising demand for helicopters for several military applications such as surveillance, emergency services, and special combat operations.

By Installation Analysis

Passenger Comfort System Predicted to be the Fastest-Growing Segment Due to Increased Adoption

By installation, the market is segmented into flight control system, fuel management system, power generation & transmission system, landing gear & braking system, passenger comfort, and others. In 2022, the passenger comfort segment was the largest segment of the market, followed by the flight control system segment.

The rise in the adoption of EMAs and EHAs in surface control systems will fuel the growth of the market, owing to the advantage of lightweight aircraft and increased reliability & efficiency. The passenger comfort segment is anticipated to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period. Increased demand for comfort, safety, and luxury associated with air travel has increased the demand for passenger comfort.

By End-User Analysis

OEM Segment is Predicted to Hold the Largest Share of the Market

Based on end-user, the market is divided into Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and aftermarket. The OEM segment is predicted to dominate the largest share of the market due to increased aircraft deliveries in developing economies such as China and India.

The aftermarket segment is anticipated to grow at a substantial rate owing to the increasing number of retiring aircraft and refurbishment of old aircraft.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

North America is estimated to dominate the aircraft actuator market share, accounting for 42.9% of the market followed by Europe and Asia Pacific. The market in North America is expected to grow during the forecast period owing to the rise in implementation of modernized safety policies by major airlines in the U.S such as United Airlines, Inc., Delta Airlines, Inc., and American Airlines, Inc. The aircraft actuator manufacturers in developed countries such as the U.S. are investing in R&D of more electric aircraft, and lightweight systems in actuators are expected to fuel the growth of the market.

Europe is expected to witness substantial growth in the market during the forecast period, owing to the increased demand for upgrading of actuator technologies for improved reliability and efficiency of the aircraft.

Asia Pacific is anticipated to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period. The rise in aircraft deliveries in countries such as India and China is encouraging the growth of the market for aircraft actuators.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Key Players are Focused on Providing a Variety of Services to Survive in the Market

This market is consolidated, with numerous global and a handful regional players in this industry. It is observed that international and regional players have a variety in product portfolio with a very high focus on providing the best possible aircraft actuators for superior quality. The top players in the aviation industry are Rockwell Collins, Honeywell International Inc., and other listed companies in the ranking analysis. The global presence of Honeywell International Inc., Northrop Grumman Corporation (U.S.), the Boeing Company (U.S.), and Lockheed Martin Corporation (U.S.) is anticipated to lead the market.

The market consists of other prominent players that include Collins Aerospace, Honeywell International Inc., Panasonic Corporation, and others focus on acquisitions, collaborations, and new product launches to sustain their market position.

List of Key Companies Profiled:

• Eaton Corporation Inc. (U.S.)


• Parker Hannifin Corporation (U.S.)


• Moog Inc. (U.S.)


• Rockwell Collins (U.S.)


• Sitec Aerospace GmbH (Germany)


• TAMAGAWA SEIKI Co. Ltd. (Japan)


• Woodward Inc. (U.S.)


• Honeywell International Inc. (U.S.)


• Saab AB (Sweden)


• Northrop Grumman Corporation (U.S.)


• The Boeing Company (U.S.)


• Lockheed Martin Corporation (U.S.)