Segment Growth:

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) comprise a growth segment within the aerospace industry. Recent international expansion has been spurred by greater mission requirements, technological progress, and demonstrated risk avoidance for flight crews in applications including military, homeland security, law enforcement, infrastructure surveillance, climate change and emergency response. Unmanned aircraft have become vital in supporting the global war on terror, particularly in Afghanistan and Iraq, providing real-time data and imagery to war fighters while lessening risks to human life.

Industry analysts indicate that the global UAS market is growing at a substantial pace, driven largely by the U.S. military, and that the market will reach $10 billion by 2012 and $15 billion by 2016. Civilian market growth depends in part upon successful integration of UAVs into the National Airspace System.