Aircraft Micro Turbine Market Size, Share & Covid-19 Impact Analysis, By Micro Engine Type (Turboshaft, Turbojet, and Turboprop), By Fuel Type (JET-A-1, Diesel, Kerosene, Natural Gas, and Sustainable Aviation Fuel), By Application (VTOL, Air Taxi, RC planes, and UAVs) and by End-User (Commercial and Military) and Regional Forecast, 2021-2028

The global aircraft micro turbine market size was USD 25.9 million in 2020. The market is projected to grow from USD 29.1 million in 2021 to USD 58.7 million by 2028 at a CAGR of 10.6% in the 2021-2028 period. The global impact of COVID-19 has been unprecedented and staggering, with Aircraft Micro Turbine witnessing a negative demand shock across all regions amid the pandemic. Based on our analysis, the global market exhibited a decline of -10.3% in 2020. The sudden rise in CAGR is attributable to this market’s demand and growth, returning to pre-pandemic levels once the pandemic is over.

Construction of micro-turbine engines (MTEs) is the result of about twenty years of development. The first designs and development were done by a group of RC enthusiasts of aviation model makers who were curious for finding real engines, but made in micro scale, for propulsion of turbojet or turboprop aircraft models. The Aircraft micro-turbines are miniature gas turbines and are evolved from turbochargers to car engines or auxiliary aircraft units. Whatever their origin, they were similar in their main components to conventional gas turbines with a compressor, combustion chamber, and power turbine. The main difference, despite its size, is that the micro-turbine will have only one set of compressor blades and one set of turbine blades.  The market for micro turbine for aviation sector is emerging from last one decade. The increasing applications of micro turbines for UAVs and small aircrafts are one of the major factor that will be responsible for substantial growth in forthcoming years.

The idea of micro turbine engine’s application for the propulsion of small and medium size professional military Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) is highly developed. Some of modern generation engines have been used for special purposes in them technology demonstrator UAVs like for example X-56A built by Lockheed Martin and NASA. On the base of market demand many specialized firm manufacturing different kinds of micro turbine engines have been evolving significantly in terms of revenue and regional presence. Moreover, the Aircraft Micro Turbine Engine has been gaining attention from major military customers for UAVs, target drones and missiles from all the defense forces around the world.

COVID-19 IMPACT

Pandemic led to Military Budget Cuts with Supply Chain Disruptions for Micro Turbine Components

It is anticipated that post impact of COVID-19 pandemic, there will be drastic defense budget cuts from developed and developing economies such as the U.S., the U.K, Russia, China, and India. For Instance, 

•    According to analysis by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), governments around the world spent USD 1.9 trillion in defense last year. This is the highest figure in more than three decades.

The impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Aircraft Micro Turbine is negative. The key players are experiencing disruption in production, cancellations of aircraft orders, low demand, and cancellation of the partnership with other organizations. Moreover, deliveries of several drones were delayed amid COVID-19 pandemic and the purchase of defense equipment required related services has been affected due to lack of opportunities in the market, resulting in fewer military drone business contracts. Economic instability in various countries is likely to hamper future business contracts related to the unmanned aerial systems followed by the micro turbine market.

LATEST TRENDS

Growing Concept of Micro Turbine for Propulsion Instead of Electric Motors and Propellers

While propeller planes certainly do have their advantages but, sometimes the extra speed and thrust of a jet engine is what's really needed. The jet engines can put out significantly more power than electrically-driven propellers and also allow the aircraft to travel at much higher speeds. Diesel fuel, on a pound-for-pound basis, stores 40 times more energy than any lithium-type battery and also will take minutes to refuel instead of the hours it takes to recharge an electrical drone.

• In November 2021, A Texas-based company named FusionFlight has applied concept of micro turbine for propulsion to quadcopter-style drones, resulting in the AB6 JetQuad.  The AB6 JetQuad can be thought of as a quadcopter with four micro-turbine engine instead of rotors. It uses diesel, paraffin or jet-A fuel, its four engines bringing 700 newton combined. Other possible uses of the drone include the provision of emergency medical services and long-distance monitoring.

DRIVING FACTORS

Growing Demand of Micro Turbine for Military Light Weight UAVs to Boost Market Growth

The dynamic development of these of micro turbojet engines for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) or Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) is one of the major factor responsible for growing demand of micro turbine in the market. The micro turbine engines used for UAVs or drone are designed and manufactured in such a way that they are light in weight and consume less fuel if compared with a conventional turbine engine. Thus technological advancements and upgrades has led to sudden demand of these high speed drones in the military sector across the globe. Moreover, the increasing demand for the latest and modern military technology to enhance various countries' defense systems is likely to fuel the aircraft micro turbine market growth during the forecast period.

• In June 2021, The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has signed a contract worth USD1.71 billion with ONC Tech, which will provide grenade-launching drones to the army and small modular drones to the Navy and air force.

“Growing Trend for Hybrid Electrification and Zero Carbon Emission Initiative to Propel Market Growth”

Research proves that the range of high battery-powered electrical air vehicles are not compatible with low-power compared to currently available batteries. Simply adding additional batteries will make the aircraft more difficult to fly with pay load. The solution is a hybrid system that will enable the aircraft to fly with battery power providing power during critical stages such as take-off, navigation, and landing. Key players involved the business are investing more in R&D to emerge as the future major players of hybrid technologies in this market. These advancements will not only save the cost of maintenance and operations of engines but it will indeed contribute to the Zero Carbon emission by 2050. Taking these factors into consideration higher growth number are expected in near future.

• UAV Turbines to create the world's first reliable, lightweight and fuel-efficient micro engines to provide power and power for small to medium-sized UAVs. For example, in December 2019, UAV turbines demonstrated their Monarch Hybrid Range Extender (HREX) technology, a small-scale power generator technology that expands the range of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The HREX development program can extend the endurance of a wide variety of electric UAVs while at the same time providing a guaranteed reliability of the aircraft engine system.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

“High Cost Associated with Devices and Components to Hinder Market Growth”

The aircraft micro turbine engine is a sophisticated technology that consists of different miniature parts and components such starts, rotors, motors, FADEC and other important components. These turbine engines find numerous applications in the military & defense for target drones and missiles. The aircraft micro turbine engine components are very compact in size and are automated technologies that are costly to manufacture. Therefore, the high prices of these micro engines are expected to hamper the future growth of the market during the forecast period. In addition, micro turbines are more expensive than similarly sized reciprocating engines, but research is in progress with the aim of achieving much higher energy-to-electrical conversion efficiencies.

SEGMENTATION

By Micro Engine Type Analysis

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Turbojet Segment to Grow at Faster Pace

Based on aircraft micro engine type the market is segmented into turboshaft, turbojet, and turboprop.

The turbojet segment held a dominant share of the market in 2020 owing to its high-speed capabilities. These radial jet engines are primarily used for high-speed drones and small manned aircraft. The engine has a maximum thrust of 600N, with a maximum speed of 65,000 rpm. The demand for these engines is increasing significantly due to its various applications in military sector. Moreover, these engines have numerous advantages such as compact size, lightweight, greater efficiency, and lower emissions. Thus higher growth numbers are anticipated during the forecast period.

A turboshaft engine is a variant of a micro turbine that is optimized to produce shaft power to drive the aircraft rather than producing thrust. Turboshaft engines are majorly used in applications that demands small, but powerful, light weight engine, including of helicopters and drones. The Turboshaft segment is expected to experience high growth in the market due to the long-range flying capabilities of and other several applications such as light aircraft and VTOL.

By Fuel Type Analysis

JET A-1 Segment Dominated the Market in 2020

Based on fuel type the market is bifurcated into JET-A-1, Diesel, Kerosene, Natural Gas, and Sustainable Aviation Fuel. JET-A-1 is a type of aviation turbine fuel used in both commercial and military aircrafts. The most commonly used fuels for commercial aviation are Jet A and Jet A-1, which are produced to a standardized international specification. Due to its advantages such as high flash point, lower freezing and cheaper than avgas, these fuels are now used for almost modern generation aircraft and drones. The JET-A-1 segment is expected to hold dominance for next few years due to increased passengers air traffic and increased procurement of military aircrafts including military drones and UAVs.

Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) have been identified as one of the key elements in helping achieve environment goals. Governmental support is essential for using sustainable aviation fuels to achieve the industry's climate goals. Over 370,000 flights have taken to the skies using SAF since 2016. The use of SAF for micro turbine engine will make it more efficient and economical, though it’s still in developing phase but the sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) segment will eventually show higher growth numbers during the forecast period.

By Application Analysis

UAV Segment to Hold Maximum Aircraft Micro Turbine Market Share

Based on the application the market is segmented into VTOL, Air Taxi, RC planes, and UAVs.

The Unmanned Ariel vehicle segment will dominate the aircraft micro turbine engine market share owing to increasing drone fleets for military and defense applications across the world. Moreover, the advancements in missile propulsion is one of the crucial factor responsible for segment growth during the forecast period. The demand for quick delivery services of cargo and medical supplies in the commercial sector is another major factor driving the growth of this segment.

The micro turbine used in VTOL is the future of VTOL aircrafts. The VTOL offers number of advantages such as excellent aerial operations, easy vertical takeoff and landing, and better mission efficiency. VTOL aircraft are expected to witness substantial growth due to the demand for urban air mobility in developed regions across the world. Key players involved in this business are investing more to get viable solutions and to increase the reach of such aircraft End-Users as well as control emissions from aerial vehicles. Thus these factors will be held accounted for segment growth in forthcoming years.

By End-user Analysis

Rise in Demand for Small and miniature Drones in Defense Sector to Propel Market Growth

In terms of end-user, the market is bifurcated into military and commercial.

The military segment is expected to have a dominant share in the market during the forecast period. The dominance is due to increased demand of UAVs and medium sized drones fitted with turbines for military operations such as such as intelligence and surveillance missions in several countries. The growing demand for medium-sized drones to carry out homeland surveillance, border patrols and security, border management, and transportation and logistics will boost market growth in the coming years.

The commercial segment is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the in the projection period due to the increase in the demand of engines for commercial applications of micro turbine such as RC planes, aerobatic aircraft and air taxi.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

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The aircraft micro turbine market has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World.

The market size in North America stood at USD 10.2 million in 2020. North America to dominate the market owing to the presence companies, sellers, and distributors in the U.S and Canada such as GE Aviation and Jetcats America.  Moreover, the growth of the market in the region is attributed to the rising usage of small drones for military, logistic and, surveillance applications and is anticipated to lead this market in terms of revenue during the forecast period.

The market Europe is expected witness substantial growth owing to majority of key players and OEMs involved to micro turbine manufacturing business belonging to this region. In addition to this the rise in demand of UAVs for military and Urban mobility vehicles for commercial application will eventually boost the market growth in Europe.

The market in Asia Pacific is expected to exhibit considerable growth due to the increasing demand for target drones and UAVs. In addition, the market in Asia-Pacific is expected to grow significantly wing to the rising drone manufacturers in the region. PBS in India is one of the prominent micro turbine engine manufacturer in the world. Moreover, the improving economy and increasing military budgets of emerging countries such as China & India is expected to support market growth.

Latin America accounted for a comparatively lower market share.  The Middle East is expected to witness slower growth in the market owing to the increasing trend for the usage of drones in oil & gas industries for several risky operations and growing trend of aero sports in the region.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Emergence of New Companies Such as Kratos Defense & Security Solutions to Propel Market Growth.

The market for Aircraft Micro Turbine is dominated by large and medium-sized American and European companies such as GE aviation, Jetcats America, Williams International and Aero Design Works GmbH. The competitive factors among these major players are affordability, technological advancements and management capability, safety & comfort to passengers, and provide ecological solutions to customers. The Kratos Defense & Security Solutions is one of the emerging player in the market due to its Kratos' KTT turbojet engine. The engine has received big investments. In January 2021, the company announced that Kratos’ Turbine Technologies Division (KTT) has been awarded a USD 12.7 million task order under its Advanced Turbine Technologies for Affordable Mission (ATTAM) ID/IQ contract. The program will be handled by the Turbine Engine Division of the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL/RQT).

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• AeroDesignWorks GmbH (Germany)


• General Electric Company (U.S.)


• Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (U.S.)


• PBS Group. a.s. (India)


• Sentient Blue Technologies (Italy)


• Turbotech SAS (France)


• Williams International (U.S.)


• UAV Turbines, Inc. (U.S.)


• AMT Netherlands B.V. (Netherlands),


• Rolls-Royce Holdings plc (U.K.)


• JetCat Americas (U.S.)


• JetsMunt SL (Spain),


• Stuttgart Engineering Propulsion Technologies UG (Germany),


• Lambert Microturbine  (Germany)


• Hawk Turbine AB (Sweden)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• June 2021: Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. announced that its Kratos Turbine Technologies (KTT) Division bagged a USD 8.6 million task order under its Advanced Turbine Technologies for Affordable Mission (ATTAM) ID/IQ contract. As per terms of the deal, the company will design, develop, assemble, and test a cost-efficient turbo shaft engine for Group 3 UAVs.


• February 2021: Prvni brnenska strojirna Velka Bites (PBS), an EASA certificated aerospace manufacturer from the Czech Republic, announced that they are launching new high-performance jet engines. In 2020 PBS delivered their 1,000th PBS TJ100 turbojet engine and are now adapting to the disposable applications based on market demands.

REPORT COVERAGE

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The global aircraft micro turbine market report provides a detailed analysis of the market and focuses on critical aspects such as leading companies, product by micro engine type, by fuel type, by application and by end-user. Besides this, the report offers insights into the market trends and highlights vital industry developments. In addition to the factors mentioned above, the report encompasses several factors contributing to the market's growth over recent years.

Report Scope & Segmentation