DRAGANFLY PHOTOS


UAS Market Ready for a BREAKOUT


By Dan Reed T


HE MARKET FOR UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS (UAS, or drones) grows bigger every year, as more com- panies, industries, and governments find ways to use these aircraft. Because drones can easily carry lightweight cameras and other sensing equipment, they’re already


utilized for inspection, surveillance, or data-gathering missions. But plans are under way to carry cargo and people, too. “It depends on what study


you read, but the commer- cial drone industry and light military [drone] market in 2018— in the US alone—was $2.6 billion. And by 2025 it will grow to $16.2 billion,” says Cameron Chell, co-founder and CEO of Canadian firm Draganfly, the world’s first commercial drone manufacturer. Some studies suggest a much higher number. But


whatever the real figure, there’s no denying the UAS industry’s current growth and prospects for more of it, regardless of where the hype surrounding


52 ROTOR 2020 Q2


Less


the technology stands. “I wouldn’t say all the hype is gone, but it is much reduced,” says Kay Wackwitz, a consulting aeronautical engineer and CEO of research and consulting firm Drone Industry Insights, based in Hamburg, Germany. Most of the excitement generated in recent years has been aimed at attracting investment dollars to the small army of drone start- ups—and to the big ride-sharing companies like Uber that are itching


expensive to operate. Lower risk to humans. What’s not to like?


to begin operating “flying taxis.” But a number of start-ups have scaled back their dreams, and some have even shut down


after having learned how hard the technical challenges are, how long the road is to full certification, and how much of an investment would be required to produce a certificated and affordable finished product. Tat shrinkage and recalibration within the industry, says Wackwitz, are a positive develop- ment. “Right now, [commercial drones are] in


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