Aircraft Actuators Market Report

The International Air Transport Association estimates that 2.5% of CO2 emissions worldwide are caused by the aviation sector and even while this number might not seem like much, it should be remembered that emissions from the aviation sector have been rising steadily. Additionally, the aviation sector contributes to the production of non-CO2 emissions such as particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and noise pollution, all of which have an impact on local air quality and the climate more broadly. Consequently, electric aircraft symbolizes a hopeful route toward more eco-friendly aviation by greatly decreasing carbon emissions, enhancing air quality, and decreasing noise pollution. As technology progresses and infrastructure advances, their function in realizing a more sustainable aviation sector will probably grow.

There has been a significant rise in environmentally concerned consumers in the aviation sector over the last few decades. Within this framework, views on electric planes and the readiness to adopt them are crucial factors for the acceptance of these technologies. The growing awareness of passengers regarding environmental concerns will be the impetus for this change. For instance, in November 2022, Airbus and Renault Group entered into a research and development agreement that seeks to speed up the electrification strategies of both companies. This collaboration will assist Airbus in advancing technologies related to upcoming hybrid-electric aircraft. In June 2023, Airbus also entered into a contract with STMicroelectronics to promote research on the forthcoming generation of semiconductors, which will serve as a crucial facilitator of hybrid and completely electric aircraft.

The growth in commercial aviation greatly stimulates the aircraft actuators market, influenced by a surge in air travel demand and the enlargement of airline fleets worldwide. As passenger counts rebound and increase, airlines are making significant investments in new aircraft acquisitions, notably in developing markets such as China and India, which are witnessing a rise in air travel. This demand for more effective and dependable aircraft has caused manufacturers to prefer electric actuators instead of conventional hydraulic systems because of their benefits, such as decreased weight, enhanced efficiency, and minimal maintenance requirements.

Throughout the last decade, the growth of commercial aviation has experienced a remarkable revival process operating expenses have been lowered, unprofitable flights have been cut, and older, less fuel-efficient, and less emission-efficient airplanes have been grounded. The International Air Transport Association announced an 8.6% increase in Revenue Passenger-Kilometers (RPK) compared to the same month last year for August 2024, demonstrating strong demand for air travel. The passenger load factor achieved an unprecedented peak of 86.2%, indicating the sector's rebound and increasing demand for air travel, especially in domestic markets such as China and Japan, which experienced rises of 10.7% and 7.6%, respectively.

The move towards sustainable design practices is encouraging manufacturers to put resources into R and D for energy-efficient actuators that reduce environmental impact. This involves utilizing recyclable materials and creating systems that reclaim energy while in use. The growth in research and development of electric actuators is crucial for manufacturers looking to remain competitive in a swiftly changing market. By concentrating on cutting-edge technologies, sustainability, and personalization, businesses can improve their product assortments and take advantage of the increasing demand in multiple industries. As the market keeps growing, R and D investments will be essential in influencing the future of electric actuators.

In recent years, the idea of electric aircraft has accelerated the advancement of electrical actuation systems to replace the hydraulic actuators previously utilized in various applications like flight control, landing gear, and brake actuation. For instance, in October 2024, UAVOS, a company located in Silicon Valley, introduced the latest member of its servos series – the SDLM-04B Linear Servo Actuator. The SDLM-04B is designed for uses that require significant forces and sustained dependability. With its sturdy build and forceful side-by-side motor and gearbox arrangement, this actuator establishes a new benchmark for functionality and adaptability, rendering it an outstanding option for various sectors such as unmanned aircraft.

The ongoing development and accessibility of IoT are promoting a new industrial revolution, in which intelligent automation, data sharing, and widespread connectivity are utilized by manufacturing technologies and processes. The upcoming generation of production will be supported by systems powered by intelligent automation (IA). This indicates that the future industry will undoubtedly be more automated and smarter in how manufacturing procedures and business management decision-making are executed. At the same time, intelligence will enhance and boost the efficiency of the manufacturing process by providing clear details about the processes, equipment, products, and operators.

• Piezoelectric smart materials and their actuators for morphing aircraft development
• Increasing emphasis on environmentally sustainable products that align with global sustainability goals
• Notable transition from traditional hydraulic and pneumatic systems to electric actuators
• Integration of Internet of Things (IoT) that facilitates real-time monitoring of actuator performance, which aids in predictive maintenance
• Integration of advanced materials to enhance performance while reducing weight

Creating sophisticated aircraft actuators necessitates a significant financial commitment to research and development. This encompasses expenses associated with designing, testing, and certifying new technologies, which can be excessively high for smaller manufacturers. Consequently, numerous possible participants might feel deterred from joining the market, restricting competition and creativity. High development expenses also result in increased maintenance costs throughout the lifespan of aircraft actuators. Routine maintenance is crucial because of deterioration, which may additionally impose expenses on operators that impact their overall economic sustainability. This continual expenditure can discourage investment in newer technologies that might provide improved performance but involve greater upfront expenses.

Strict regulations establish considerable obstacles for new firms trying to enter the aircraft actuator market. Regulatory compliance challenges can also result in interruptions within the supply chain. Any holdups in certification or compliance can influence the overall production timeline, resulting in ripple effects that affect delivery timelines and operational efficiency for both airlines and manufacturers. As regulatory bodies often revise their criteria to include updated safety and performance benchmarks, producers might have to consistently adjust their technologies. This continuous requirement for adjustment can redirect resources from innovation and product advancement, obstructing progress in actuator technology. The process of certifying aircraft components, such as actuators, is long and intricate, necessitating extensive paperwork and rigorous testing to comply with safety and performance criteria established by regulatory bodies. This complexity may postpone the launch of new products into the market, leading to missed chances for producers and hindering overall market expansion.

Strategic partnerships and agreements fundamentally improve the market acceptance of aircraft actuators by fostering innovation, lowering expenses, broadening market reach, enhancing product quality, and reinforcing supply chains. As the aviation sector progresses towards increasingly electric and efficient airplane designs, these partnerships will be crucial in influencing the future of aircraft actuation technologies. For instance, in November 2024, DG Innovate plc, in partnership with Cummins Inc, revealed the creation of a new electric actuator motor based on DGI’s exclusive Pareta electric drive system. With a dual motor/inverter setup, which provides inherent redundancy at the system level, the new device delivers both rotational and linear actuation. This further application for DGI’s Pareta technology is perfect for safety-sensitive uses in commercial vehicles, like ‘brake by wire’ electro-mechanical braking systems, as a substitute for current air-actuated brakes.

The creation of advanced aircraft actuators is crucial in boosting market acceptance by enhancing performance. The launch of innovative products enables focused marketing techniques that emphasize distinct selling features. By aligning product characteristics with customer expectations, manufacturers are able to draw in a greater number of users and promote faster adoption. For instance, in January 2024, Moog Inc, a global designer, producer, and integrator of precision motion control components and systems, reported a successful initial flight of its new hydraulic actuators that guide United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) Vulcan Rocket. Moog developed and manufactured innovative hydraulic actuators for the thrust vector control system of the first-stage main engines. These actuators utilize seventy years of expertise in precise motion control and operate flawlessly while aligning the engines to direct Vulcan.

While North America presently commands the largest market share, the Asia-Pacific area is projected to experience the quickest growth from 2023 to 2033, driven by rising air travel needs and investments in new commercial aircraft fleets. However, North America’s established infrastructure and industrial presence reinforce its status as the leading region in the aircraft actuators market.

North America hosts several of the globe's biggest commercial aircraft producers along with a strong network of actuator producers. This dense network of industrial activity encourages the need for aircraft actuators. The area possesses a significant military aerospace industry, fueled by considerable defense expenditures and the demand for sophisticated military planes. Furthermore, the increasing need for new commercial airplanes to satisfy the escalating air travel requirements also enhances the actuator market. North America is at the forefront of the development and implementation of advanced technologies like electric actuators and fly-by-wire systems.

The increasing quantity of aircraft and the surge in air traffic are generating significant prospects for actuator providers in Asia Pacific. As airlines grow their fleets to introduce new routes and manage rising passenger numbers, the need for sophisticated aircraft actuators is anticipated to surge. For instance, The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines reported a 36% growth in the number of international passengers carried in the first eight months of 2024, reaching a total of 240 million.

The report provides a detailed overview of the aircraft actuators market insights in regions including North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa. The country-specific assessment for the aircraft actuators market has been offered for all regional market shares, along with forecasts, market scope estimates, price point assessment, and impact analysis of prominent countries and regions. Throughout this market research report, Y-o-Y growth and CAGR estimates are also incorporated for every country and region, to provide a detailed view of the aircraft actuators market. These Y-o-Y projections on regional and country-level markets brighten the political, economic, and business environment outlook, which are anticipated to have a substantial impact on the growth of the aircraft actuators market. Some key countries and regions included in the aircraft actuators market report are as follows:

• Aircraft actuators market detailed segments and segment-wise market breakdown
• Aircraft actuators market dynamics (Recent industry trends, drivers, restraints, growth potential, opportunities in aircraft actuators industry)
• Current, historical, and forthcoming 10 years market valuation in terms of aircraft actuators market size (US$ Mn), volume (Units), share (%), Y-o-Y growth rate, CAGR (%) analysis 
• Aircraft actuators market demand analysis
• Aircraft actuators market pricing analysis over the forecast period (by key segment and by region)
• Aircraft actuators market regional insights with the region-wise market breakdown
• Competitive analysis – key companies profiling including their market share, product offerings, and competitive strategies.
• Latest developments and innovations in the aircraft actuators market
• Regulatory landscape by key regions and key countries
• Supply chain and value chain analysis in the aircraft actuators market
• Aircraft actuators market sales and distribution strategies
• A comprehensive overview of the parent market
• A detailed viewpoint on the aircraft actuators market forecast by countries
• Mergers and acquisitions in the aircraft actuators market
• Essential information to enhance market position
• Robust research methodology