Target Drone Market - Size, Share, Industry Trends, and Forecasts (2025 - 2032)

By Type:

Based on type, the market is segmented into fixed-wing target drones, rotary-wing target drones, and hybrid target drones.

Trends in the type:

• Increasing trend in utilization of fixed-wing drones, due to its higher speed capabilities, longer flight range, and greater payload capacity.
• Rising advancements associated with hybrid drones to provide extended flight times, versatile take-off and landing capabilities, and the ability to simulate various threat scenarios for military training are driving the market.

The fixed-wing target drones segment accounted for the largest revenue share of 51.30% in the total target drone market share in 2024.

• Fixed-wing drones are unmanned aerial vehicles with rigid wings, primarily used for training and testing of military weapon systems.
• They simulate threats for air-to-air and surface-to-air training, and can be used to test weapons such as missiles and cannons.
• Moreover, fixed-wing drones provide several benefits, including longer flight range and endurance, higher speed capabilities, improved stability in turbulent weather conditions, greater payload capacity, and relatively lower maintenance and operational costs, among others.
• For instance, Airbus offers fixed-wing airborne target UAVs in its defence product offerings, which are capable of simulating the complete engagement process from detection to action.
• According to the analysis, the aforementioned benefits of fixed-wing drones are further driving its adoption, in turn propelling the market.

The hybrid target drones segment is anticipated to register the fastest CAGR growth during the forecast period.

• Hybrid drones combine features of multi-rotor and fixed-wing drones, in turn offering extended flight times, versatile take-off and landing capabilities, and the ability to simulate various threat scenarios for military training.
• Hybrid drones are crucial for simulating realistic combat situations, which helps military personnel in improving their tactical skills and decision-making in a safe, controlled environment.
• Moreover, hybrid design enables longer mission durations as compared to traditional fixed-wing or rotor-based drones, in turn facilitating more comprehensive training exercises.
• Additionally, the ability to take off and land vertically, combined with the efficiency of fixed-wing flight, enables deployment of hybrid drones in various terrains and environments, even in areas with limited space.
• Hence, the aforementioned factors are anticipated to drive the adoption of hybrid drones, in turn propelling the market during the forecast period.

By Target:

Based on target, the market is segmented into aerial, ground, and marine.

Trends in the target:

• There is a rising trend towards the utilization of live training and simulation programs in military and defense organizations for training personnel in diverse environments, which is driving the market.
• Factors including significant expansion of naval fleets and rising maritime security concerns are among the key trends driving the growth of the marine segment.

Aerial segment accounted for the largest revenue in the overall target drone market share in 2024.

• Target UAVs are designed to simulate enemy aircraft or missiles, primarily for military training and testing purposes.
• Target UAVs offer a realistic aerial target for practicing live-fire exercises and enhancing the skills of anti-aircraft crews.
• They provide a moving target for practicing engagement with anti-aircraft systems, such as missiles, guns, and electronic warfare systems.
• Moreover, target UAVs can also be used to evaluate the performance of new weapon systems against realistic aerial threats.
• Consequently, the aforementioned factors are driving the target drone market trends.

The marine segment is anticipated to register the fastest CAGR during the forecast period.

• Target UAVs are often used in marine environments for naval training and testing of weapon systems.
• Target UAVs can simulate threats such as enemy vessels, which enables naval forces to practice engagement with missiles, torpedoes, and other weapons. This ensures that Navy forces can accurately engage moving targets at sea.
• Similarly, these drones can also be used for evaluating the performance of defense systems against various maritime threats.
• For instance, Airbus offers a complete range of target UAVs that offer realistic and cost-effective training for naval air defence, including naval targets, direct airborne targets, towed airborne targets, and surface targets.
• Thus, the above factors are anticipated to boost the target drone market growth during the forecast period.

By Engine Type:

Based on the engine type, the market is segmented into internal combustion engines, jet engines, turbojet engines, and others.

Trends in the engine type:

• Rising integration of internal combustion engines in target UAVs, due to its longer flight ranges, increased payload capacity, and extended mission endurance, among others.
• Factors including the rising need for high speed and maneuverability required in simulating missile threats and testing weapon systems, combined with compact power and rapid response capabilities, are among the key prospects driving the market.

The internal combustion engines segment accounted for the largest revenue share in the total market in 2024.

• Target UAVs typically utilize internal combustion engines for propulsion. These engines can range from two-stroke to four-stroke piston engines, and they offer a good power-to-weight ratio, which enables increased payload capacity, longer flight ranges, and extended mission endurance.
• Internal combustion engines enable target UAVs to fly longer distances and remain airborne for extended periods, which helps in facilitating more comprehensive training exercises.
• Moreover, the power provided by internal combustion engines enables the drones to carry various payloads, in turn enhancing the realism and effectiveness of the training.
• For instance, Sistemas de Control Remoto SL offers the MOAI target UAV, which includes an internal combustion engine that enables it to reach optimal speeds for conducting artillery firing exercises. The target UAV can tow sub-targets that are intended for military training of air defence systems.
• According to the analysis, the above factors are driving the target drone market size.

The turbojet engines segment is anticipated to register the fastest CAGR during the forecast period.

• Turbojet engines offer a good balance of power, thrust-to-weight ratio, and relatively compact design, which makes them suitable for use in target UAVs.
• Moreover, target UAVs often utilize turbojet engines, attributed to the growing demand for high speed and maneuverability required in simulating missile threats and testing weapon systems.
• Additionally, turbojet engines are capable of providing the required speed and altitude capabilities for realistic target simulation.
• For instance, PBS Group offers PBS TJ40 model of turbojet engine in its product offerings, which is specifically designed and manufactured for UAV systems, such as decoy drones, target UAVs, and small reconnaissance UAVs. Its key benefits include a low weight of 3.3 kg and a power thrust of 395 N.
• Therefore, the rising adoption of turbojet engines in target UAVs is anticipated to boost the segment growth during the forecast period.

By Application:

Based on application, the market is segmented into combat training, target acquisition, reconnaissance, and others.

Trends in the application:

• Rising adoption of target UAVs in military combat training applications involving the simulation of enemy threats, training anti-aircraft crews, testing weapon systems, and enhancing combat readiness is driving the market.
• Increasing trend in adoption of target UAVs in applications including target acquisition, intelligence gathering, border security, and aerial surveillance is projected to drive the market.

The combat training segment accounted for the largest revenue in the overall market in 2024, and it is anticipated to register a substantial CAGR during the forecast period.

• Target UAVs are primarily used in military combat training for simulating enemy aircraft or missiles, in turn providing realistic scenarios for practicing and testing defense systems.
• Moreover, these drones play an essential role in enhancing the accuracy and effectiveness of military personnel and weapon systems by allowing them to train against a broad range of simulated threats.
• Target UAVs are mainly used in military combat training applications involving the simulation of enemy threats, training anti-aircraft crews, testing weapon systems, and enhancing combat readiness, among others.
• For instance, QinetiQ offers target UAVs in its product offerings, which are specifically designed for use in military combat training applications. The company’s target UAVs are capable of simulating several advanced missile threats, which are designed for threat representation and military operational training.
• Consequently, the rising adoption of target UAVs in the military & defense sector for combat training applications is driving the market.