Aircraft Flight Control System Market Size, Share, & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Type (Primary Control Surfaces System and Secondary Control Surfaces System), By Component (Control Surfaces, Actuators, Flight Control Surface Mechanism, Sensors, Cockpit Control, and Others), By Platform (Commercial Aircraft (Narrow Body, Wide Body, Regional Jet, and Commercial Helicopter), Military Aircraft (Combat & Multirole, Military Transport Aircraft, and Military Helicopter), Business Jets, General Aviation Aircraft), and Regional Forecast, 2023-2030

The global aircraft flight control system market size was valued at USD 25.33 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow from USD 27.93 billion in 2023 to USD 48.48 billion by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 8.20% during the forecast period.

The aircraft flight control system assists the pilot in controlling the aircraft precisely. The system includes the flight control surfaces, the cockpit, and the hydraulic mechanical links and controls.

Currently, most military and commercial aircraft are integrated with hydro-mechanical control systems; however, new aircraft are integrated with electronic flight control systems or fly-by-wire. Improvements in personal disposable income in developing countries have created the demand for air travel due to a surge in passenger traffic. The increasing demand for air travelers causes airlines to expand their fleets. Hence, increased aircraft orders are expected to boost market growth. Also, the rising demand for drones in military operations is predicted to drive the market's growth over the forecast period.

COVID-19 IMPACT

Pandemic Severely Affected Supply Chain Resulting in Delayed Aircraft Deliveries

The COVID-19 pandemic plunged aircraft deliveries due to the stoppage of all domestic and international airline operations. The cases of COVID-19 increased, leading to a halt of all international and domestic travel, thereby grounding the aircraft. The supply for new aircraft deliveries was hampered, leading to a large supply backlog and reduced overall demand for aircraft flight control systems. In the aftermath of the pandemic, as economies started opening, demand for new aircraft deliveries flourished due to increased post-pandemic travel, leading to the demand for aircraft flight control systems. Therefore, this surge in demand is expected to boost the overall market over the forecast period.

LATEST TRENDS

Emergence of Automated Flight Control Systems to Boost Market Growth

The latest trend observed in the market is the emergence and implication of automated flight control systems. These systems help reduce errors and enable smooth aircraft movement during the entire operation. Aircraft manufacturers and airline operators prefer the technology since the automated system provides the most accurate inputs, improving overall aircraft efficiency. Numerous OEMs have initiated the testing processes for such systems, being aware of their potential to revolutionize the flight control system market. For instance,

In June 2023, Skyryse, a Flight automation specialist company, launched a comprehensive flight test campaign with its highly automated FlightOS flight control system, which the company says can improve safety and reduce workload pilots for a variety of aircraft, including helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and eVTOL aircraft.

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DRIVING FACTORS

Rising Demand for High-Performance Aircraft to Propel Market Growth

A recent surge in demand for high-performance aircraft with effective and efficient flight control systems is a major driving force in the market. The latest aircraft delivered by major OEMs are well-equipped with cutting-edge technology and support systems for accurate flight control. These aircraft flight control systems improve navigation, ensure optimum fuel saving, and ease operations. Various airlines have initiated demand for aircraft that can be operated at minimum cost, leading to a rise in demand for appropriate aircraft flight systems integrated with the latest digital technology. In addition, the prevalence of supersonic and hypersonic aircraft for military & commercial purposes is expected to boost the aircraft flight control surfaces market over the forecast period.

December 2022 – According to reports in state media, technology demonstration for Russia's future supersonic passenger plane is expected to enter production in 2023. It will be built at the Chaplygin Siberian Institute of Aeronautical Sciences (SibNIA), using MiG-29 fighters as a base. The institute's director, Vladimir Barsuk, announced the plan at a press conference, as reported by Russian news agency TASS.

Increasing Integration of Fly-By-Wire Flight Control System to Accentuate Market Growth

There has been an increase in the integration of fly-by-wire control systems in recent aircraft. Fly-by-wire acts as a replacement for traditional, mechanical, and hydro-mechanical systems. The system stabilizes the aircraft and adjusts the flight characteristics without pilot involvement while preventing the pilot from operating outside the aircraft's safe operating range. Since fly-by-wire is electronic, it is much lighter and less bulky than mechanical control, allowing for increased fuel efficiency and flexibility in aircraft design, even on aircraft old fly, and thus is preferred by OEMs and airlines. Fly-by-wire is currently used in most aircraft, and thus is expected to boost the market over the forecast period, owing to surge in demand and integration for the system.

For instance, in October 2022, BAE Systems and Supernal, two major flight control system manufacturers, unveiled an agreement to design and develop Supernal's Vertical Take-off and Landing (eVTOL) computer control system. In support of Supernal, BAE Systems will help define the architecture of a light electric flight system for its autonomous aircraft. The electric flight control system is anticipated to safely and efficiently control the aircraft during flight.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Stringent Regulations Surrounding Flight Control Systems to Stifle Market Growth

Despite numerous advantages of the aircraft flight control system, there is a major setback for the market's growth due to strict regulations. The flight control system’s approval process by the regulatory authorities is time-consuming and expensive for several reasons, safety and operability being the major reasons. The regulatory authorities have become extremely cautious after the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) fatal flight crash cases in Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft. As the plane crashes took place due to the Maneuvering Characteristics and Augmentation System (MCAS), the processes have become more stringent, which is expected to regulate market growth to an extent.

SEGMENTATION

By Type Analysis

Primary Control Surface System Leads due to Continuous Technological Advancements

Based on type, the market is categorized into primary control surface system and secondary control surface system.

The primary control surface system segment accounted for the largest market share in 2022. The primary control surfaces system consists of three major components: the rudder, aileron, and elevator. The three components are responsible for all the movements, such as yawing and stalling, in the aircraft. The primary control surface system accounted for the largest market owing to the implication of the system in every aircraft. In every single aircraft, the primary control surface system is of utmost importance to provide direction to the aircraft.

The secondary control surface system segment is expected to rise at the highest CAGR over the forecast period, owing to its constant advancements. The secondary system consists of flaps, slats, stabilizers, spoilers, slats, and other components auxiliary to the primary surface systems. Growing advancements and constant technological upgrades of these components are expected to be the key reasons for the segment’s growth during the forecast period. Recently, companies have started initiating advanced technologies to soar to higher altitudes.

For instance, in July 2023, BAE Systems unveiled the successful completion of PHASA-35 flight over 24 hours; PHASA-35 climbed to more than 66,000 feet, reaching the stratosphere before making a successful landing.

By Component Analysis

High Adoption Rate and Demand for Control Surface Mechanism to Propel the Segment Growth

By component, the market is classified into control surfaces, actuators, flight control surface mechanism, sensors, cockpit control, and others.

The control surfaces segment accounted for the largest market share in 2022. An aircraft's flight control surfaces are aerodynamic devices that allow the pilot to adjust and control the aircraft's flight attitude. They are a major constituent and act as a framework for the flight control system. The control surface is a part of the avionics that physically leads to motion control of the aircraft and plays a major role in the flight control system.  

The flight control surface mechanism segment is expected to grow with the fastest and highest CAGR over the forecast period, owing to growing technological advancements and applications of flight control surface mechanisms in new-generation aircraft.

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By Platform Analysis

Increasing Aircraft Deliveries to Significantly Add to the Growth of Commercial Aircraft Segment  

Based on platform, the market is segmented into commercial aircraft, military aircraft, business jets aircraft, and general aviation aircraft. The commercial aircraft segment is further subdivided into narrow-body, wide-body, regional jet, and commercial helicopter. The military aircraft segment is trifurcated into combat & multirole, military transport aircraft, and military helicopters.   

The commercial aircraft segment accounts for the largest market share and is expected to grow with the highest CAGR over the forecast period. This growth can be attributed to growing air travel, increased aircraft deliveries, and growing advances in aircraft flight control systems in an aircraft. The segment is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period.

The military aircraft segment is expected to grow with a significant CAGR from 2023-2030. The segment growth is due to growing military applications of flight control systems and subsequent growth in technological advancements in aircraft types such as supersonic and ultrasonic fighter jets.

For instance, in July 2023, BAE Systems unveiled a new research facility to accelerate research into advanced airborne combat capabilities. As a research and development hub, the company's new aviation division FalconWorks will deliver cutting-edge new aviation capabilities to the U.K. and its allies.