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The UAS market’s leading companies in 2015

Jan 13, 2015

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Boeing's Phantom Eye — Boeing’s Phantom Eye

Over the past decade or so, the global market for unmanned aerial systems (UAS) has grown exponentially, exploding with innovations and proven successes. Both military and civil unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) have replaced manned missions in many and varied fields, such as providing constant real-time electro-optic imagery and ISR (Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance), through monitoring and early response and commercial transport to border patrols, saving the environment, firefighting and agricultural cultivation – not to mention counter-terror, mapping, commercial photography and law enforcement.

Based on our defense industry sources, the iHLS news desk is able to predict which companies will feature prominently in the global market for UASs in the year ahead. This is akin to similar predictions by International Business Times, the Wall Street Journal and many other publications.

Here are the top 5 UAV manufacturers to watch for in 2015:

1. The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA)

Boeing has had a hand in the UAS market for a number of years, mostly developing for the U.S. military. They have more recently been testing the hydrogen-powered Phantom Eye UAV, which Boeing says can stay at 65,000 feet for up to four days without refueling.

2. General Atomics

The San-Diego based company is credited with building the Predator UAV, the much-feared aircraft that saw action way back during the Balkans war. Since then it’s been deployed in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Yemen, Libya, Somalia, Iran and the Philippines. Last year, the company signed a deal to supply $197 million worth of systems to the United Arab Emirates.

Lockheed Martin's Stalker — Lockheed Martin’s Stalker

3. Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT)

Like Boeing, Lockheed is testing a UAS – the Stalker – that can stay in the air for days at a time.

4. Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC)

Founded only in 1994, when Northrop (founded circa 1939) merged with Grumman (founded circa 1929) Northrop Grumman has quickly risen to become one of the top suppliers of military hardware in the world. The US Navy has been using its BQM-74 Chukar series for several years now. Another famous example: the RQ-4 Global Hawk HALE (high-altitude long-endurance) UAV.

5. AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV)

AeroVironment's — AeroVironment’s “Hummingbird” drone

AeroVironment is the company responsible for the “Hummingbird drone” ordered by the Pentagon. But the incredibly accurate little drone is capable of far more than just looking good. It has a tiny camera that can follow your every move.