Aircraft Actuator Market Size, Share and Industry 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, and others), and Geography Forecast till 2026

The global aircraft actuator market Size was valued at  USD 14.85 billion in 2018 is projected to reach USD 16.98 billion by 2026, exhibiting a CAGR of 3.12% 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. In an aircraft, actuators are used in power generation & transmission systems, fuel management systems, flight control systems, and others. Aircraft actuator's core functions are mostly related to flow control or the motion control of different systems in an aircraft. The actuation components include valve actuators, servo motors, electric motors, generators, pumps, power transfer units, and others. The demand for aircraft actuators is rising owing to increased aircraft deliveries, due to the rise in the air passenger travel from various emerging economies such as India and China. Aircraft manufacturers are switching from conventional hydraulic actuators to electric actuators considering the superiority of these actuators and benefits such as low weight, increased efficiency, and no leakage problems; this will support the growth of the market for electric actuators in the future.

MARKET TRENDS

Replacing conventional hydraulic actuators with all-electric or electro-hydrostatic actuators

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. An electric aircraft actuator's dynamics 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.

Request a Free sample to learn more about this report.

Advanced Technologies In Aircraft Seat Actuators To Fuel The Growth Of The Market

As the demand for aircraft travel keeps on rising, airlines are trying to attract more passengers by maximizing passenger comfort. Engineers are developing facilities that fulfil the comfort requirements of passengers and at the same time, do not compromise on the size, cost, and safety aspects of the aircraft systems and components. Airlines are offering new seating options, styles, and functions, as the seat is a vital aspect of the airline industry. Owing to rising prices of the fuel, the aircraft manufacturers are investing in low fuel consumption technology by reducing the weight of the aircraft. The electromechanical actuators (EMA) are used in the new seat actuation systems to reduce the weight while increasing the passenger comfort of aircraft seats. For instance, Eaton Corporation Inc., Moog Inc., and Rockwell Collins are the key manufacturers that dominate the aircraft seat actuators market.              

MARKET DRIVERS

Rise In Demand For Autonomy In Aircraft Operations Is Driving The Growth Of Aircraft Actuators Systems Market

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. 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 the increase in the use of UAVs for commercial and military applications. The use of UAVs in the military sector for life-threatening missions, modern warfare techniques, and patrolling of marine borders is fueling the growth of the aircraft actuators market for UAV

Increased Demand For Commercial Aircraft Is Driving The Growth Of Commercial Aircraft Actuators Market

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

MARKET RESTRAINT

Government regulations regarding certification are restraining the growth of the market.

The aviation industry follows the stringent rules and regulations considering the use of mechanical or electrical components in use for the aviation industry. OEMs have to follow certain guidelines and certifications named as airworthiness directives (AD) related to safety, leakage, and design 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. Aircraft landing gear manufacturers require huge timeline to build robust product that can match with the aviation standards and comply all requirements, which delays the product launches and affects the overall revenues in the aircraft actuators market. Thus the lengthy and time-consuming process of achieving the certification is restraining the aircraft actuator market growth.

SEGMENTATION

By Motion Analysis

Linear actuator segment to gain momentum during the forecast period

By type, the market is segmented into linear and rotary actuators. The linear actuator segment was estimated to be the largest segment in the market, owing to its accuracy and controllability. The linear actuator 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 actuator 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 aircraft actuator market.

By Actuator Type Analysis

To know how our report can help streamline your business, Speak to Analyst

Electromechanical actuators to witness significant growth during the forecast period

By technology, the market is divided into hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, electromechanical, and electro hydrostatic. The hydraulic actuator segment was estimated to be the dominating segment. The hydraulic actuator is getting more popular as it has benefits such as integrated redundancy in case of failure, overload protection, and free-floating control surface widely used in conventional aircraft, which is fueling the growth of the market.

The 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 actuator 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.

By Platform Analysis

Fixed-Wing expected to dominate the largest share of the market

By platform, the aircraft actuator market is segmented into fixed-wing and rotary-wing. In 2018, 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, general aviation aircraft, and fixed-wing UAVs. In 2018, the commercial aircraft segment was expected to account for the largest share in the market. The upsurge in air transport is the key factor in strengthening the growth of this segment.

The fixed-wing UAV segment is expected to grow with a high growth rate due to an increase in demand for autonomous military UAVs such as HALE, MALE, tactical UAVs for intelligence, security, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.

The rotary-wing 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

By system, the aircraft actuator market is segmented into the flight control system, fuel management system, power generation & transmission system, landing gear & braking system, fire or weapon control system, and aircraft health monitoring system. In 2018, the flight control system and power generation and transmission system were expected to be the largest segment of the market. 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. The demand for passenger comfort has increased owing to the rise in demand for comfort, safety, and luxury related to air travel is factoring the growth of the market.

REGIONAL ANALYSIS

To get more information on the regional analysis of this market, Request a Free sample

North America is estimated to dominate the market for aircraft actuators, followed by Europe and Asia-Pacific. The growth of the market in North America is expected to grow during the forecast period owing to the rise in the implementation of the modernized safety policies by the 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, 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 up-gradation 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

Diverse Product Portfolio and Core Focus of Moog Inc., to Boost the Company to a Leading Position

Moog Inc. offers customers a broad range of actuation products and provides the technical expertise to transition between actuation technologies. Aircraft actuator manufacturers are adopting organic and inorganic growth strategies such as a mergers & acquisitions, new product launches, long term partnerships & agreements with airlines and aircraft MROs, and also building long term relationships with OEMs

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• Boeing Company (the U.S.)


• Eaton Corporation Inc. (the U.S.)


• Honeywell International Inc. (the U.S.)


• Lockheed Martin Corporation (the U.S.)


• Moog Inc. (the U.S.)


• Northrop Grumman Corporation (the U.S.)


• Parker Hannifin Corporation (the U.S.)


• Rockwell Collins (the U.S.)


• Saab AB (Sweden)


• Sitec Aerospace GmbH (Germany)


• TAMAGAWA SEIKI Co.Ltd. (Japan)


• Woodward Inc. (the U.S.)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• November 2019 – Moog Inc. was awarded a contract worth more than USD 400 million by Lockheed Martin Corporation to produce electro-hydrostatic actuators for leading-edge flap drive system and the wing fold actuation system on F-35 for next three years. This has helped Lockheed Martin Corporation to reduce procurement costs for F-35. The price for all F-35 units has been reduced to USD 80 million per unit.

REPORT COVERAGE

An Infographic Representation of Aircraft Actuator Market

View Full Infographic

To get information on various segments, share your queries with us

The aircraft actuator market report offers qualitative and quantitative insights on aircraft actuators and the detailed analysis of market size & growth rate for all possible segments in the market.

Along with this, the report provides an elaborative analysis of market dynamics, emerging trends, and competitive landscape of aircraft actuator manufacturers. Key insights offered in the report are the adoption trends of aircraft actuator solutions by individual segments, recent industry developments such as partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, consolidated SWOT analysis of key players, Porter’s five forces analysis, business strategies of leading market players, macro and micro-economic indicators, and key industry trends.

REPORT SCOPE AND SEGMENTATION