Aircraft Lightning Protection Market

Industry Overview

Aircraft lightning protection is installed in an aircraft to safeguard passengers and improve conductivity. It includes various components, such as transient voltage suppressors, static wicks, and expanded metal foils. Augmented demand for novel aircraft and an upsurge in the requirement for added electric aircraft and glass cockpits are the factors driving the growth of Global Aircraft Lightning Protection.

Different aircraft type such as fixed-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and rotary-wing aircraft contributed to the aircraft lightning protection market size. The market has witnessed a high demand for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) segment over the last few years due to the mounting applicability of UAVs in the commercial and defense sectors.

Market Segmentation

Insight by Application

On the basis of the application, the market is subdivided into test service, lightning protection, and lightning detection & warning. Of all the applications, the lightning protection segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate in the market as its components assist in decreasing the amount of destruction caused owing to lightning strikes on aircraft. The lightning protection segment is further subdivided into expanded metal foils, transient voltage suppressors, and static wicks.

Insight by Aircraft Type

On the basis of the aircraft type, the market is subdivided into fixed-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and rotary-wing aircraft. Mounting applicability of UAVs in the commercial and defense sectors is the major factor growing the demand for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) segment. Among all aircraft type, the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate in the aircraft lightning protection market.

The fixed-wing aircraft is further subdivided into narrow body aircraft, very large aircraft, regional transport aircraft, fighter aircraft, wide-body aircraft, light aircraft, military transport aircraft, and business aircraft. In addition, the rotary-wing aircraft is further subdivided into civil helicopters and military helicopters.

Insight by End User

On the basis of the end user, the market is subdivided into civil, and military. The civil segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate in the market, due to an upsurge in air travel, the upsurge in demand for cargo and passenger flights, and a surge in disposable income of the middle-class population.

Insight by FIT

On the basis of the fit, the market is subdivided into linefit, and retrofit. Of all the fits, the retrofit segment is expected to grow at a faster rate in the market due to the alteration or upgradation of an aircraft during the renovation period. In addition, the linelift segment accounted for the larger share of the market.

Global Aircraft Lightning Protection Market Report Coverage

Industry Dynamics

Industry Trends

Lightning strike protection in composites such as astrostrike mesh, microgrid technology, ply-integrated lightning protection, lightning diverters, transient voltage suppressors (TVS), and lightning sensor systems are the trends in the aircraft lightning protection market.

Growth Drivers

The augmented demands for novel aircraft, the surge in disposable income of the middle-class population, and an upsurge in the requirement for added electric aircraft and glass cockpits are the primary growth drivers for the aircraft lightning protection market.

In addition, the upsurge in air passenger has increased to new aircraft and aviation vessel requirements. Passengers are shifting towards air transportation from land and sea due to less travel time and better safety, thus fueling the growth of the market.

The emergence of new aircraft manufacturers in Asia-Pacific, technological advancement, and augmented implementation of composite material in aircraft, to reduce overall weight and enhance the fuel efficiency of the aeroplane are also facilitating the growth of the aircraft lightning protection market.

Challenges

Prevailing backlogs in the delivery of novel aircraft and the origination of strict regulatory norms are the major challenges to the growth of the aircraft lightning protection market.

Industry Ecosystem

Globally, the manufacturing companies trying to enter the aircraft lightning protection market are required to maintain stringent regulatory standards. Moreover, the high level of capital requirement also poses a major barrier to the entry of new players. This offers an edge to the established players in the industry competition.

Geographic Overview

Geographically, North America accounted the largest share in the market, due to an upsurge in airplane deliveries and presence of major aircraft manufacturers. Asia-Pacific is observed to witness the fastest growth in the market, due to an upsurge in passenger traffic. In addition, mounting disposable income, and enlarged need for novel lightweight and fuel-efficient aircraft are also facilitating the growth of the Asia-Pacific aircraft lightning protection market.

Competitive Insight

Key players in the aircraft lightning protection market are catering to the demand for these devices by investing in technologically advanced products in their product portfolio across the globe. In April 2015, Southwest Airlines selected Honeywell Cockpit Technologies for Boeing 737 Max aircraft. Dayton-Granger, TE Connectivity, Honeywell International, Lord Corporation, National Technical Systems (NTP), and Avidyne are the key players offering aircraft lightning protection.