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The Global Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Aircraft and Drones Market size was valued at USD 4.2 billion in 2023. It is likely to grow up to USD 10.2 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 5.5 % during the forecast period ranging between 2025 and 2030.

Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) means gathering information, monitoring and analyzing the situation. These special aircraft and drones are made for intelligence activities. They have modern technologies like high-resolution cameras, thermal imaging and radar that is responsible for making real-time data transmission and automatic target detection possible. These are helpful in predicting threats in advance and planning missions. Unmanned drones reduce risk and can fly for a long time. Growth drivers of the global Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft and drones market include the development of mini and micro drone technology allowing for increased flexibility in operations, low-cost ISR systems that are opening up entry to new markets, increasing use of ISR equipment in civil security, disaster management, and border security, grants and funding for ISR technology by governments and increasing global tensions. However, the technical complexity of ISR aircraft and drones and the high cost of advanced cameras, sensors and communication systems are hindering the growth of this market.

Browse market data Tables and Figures spread through 136 Pages and in-depth TOC on Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Aircraft and Drones Market By Platform Type (Manned Aircraft, UAVs and Other Air Systems), By Application (Military, Homeland Security and Commercial Use), By End User (Defense Forces, Law Enforcement Agencies and Commercial Organizations), By Sensor Technology (EO/IR, Radar, SIGINT and Others) and By Geography (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Rest of the World) - Forecast from 2025 to 2030.

Global ISR Aircraft and Drones Market Segmentation and Key Players

By platform type,  Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) dominated the Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Aircraft and Drones Market. 

UAVs are growing the fastest as they are affordable, flexible, and pose low risk to the human operator. 

"North America dominated the Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Aircraft and Drones Market." 

North America is at the forefront of the global Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft and drones market due to advanced defence technologies and surveillance drones. 

Some of the major players in this market are Northrop Grumman Corporation, The Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin Corporation, RTX Corporation, Elbit Systems Ltd., BAE Systems PLC, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), L3Harris Technologies Inc., AeroVironment Inc., General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Textron Systems, Thales Group, Leonardo S.p.A. and General Dynamics Corporation

Recent Developments of the Key Players

Northrop Grumman Corporation has expanded its use of NVIDIA technology, including adding space applications to the NVIDIA Omniverse simulation platform and leveraging the NVIDIA Isaac Lab framework for the training, development and deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) for cognitive spacecraft operations. 

Lockheed Martin and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has expanded its collaboration on air systems to include rotorcraft manufacturing and next-generation platform development, uncrewed aerial vehicles, space systems, crewed-uncrewed teaming, training devices, and sustainment.

Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Aircraft and Drones Market coverage (By Value)

• Platform Type Insight and Forecast 2025 - 2030
  • Electric
  • Gasoline
• Application Insight and Forecast 2025 - 2030
  • Military
  • Homeland Security
  • Commercial Use
• End User Insight and Forecast 2025 - 2030
  • Defense Forces
  • Law Enforcement Agencies
  • Commercial Organizations
• Sensor Technology Insight and Forecast 2025 - 2030
  • EO/IR
  • Radar
  • SIGINT
  • Others

Geographical Segmentation

Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Aircraft and Drones Market by Region

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • U.K.
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia-Pacific (APAC)
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Vietnam
  • Thailand
  • Malaysia
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
• Rest of the World (RoW)
  • Brazil
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • U.A.E.
  • Other Countries