Market Direction

Jon Perry is Technical Sales Manager at Callen-Lenz, with over 10 years UAS experience. In this article, Jon reflects on the current trajectory of the UAS market.

As geopolitical events unfold throughout the world, we have seen how Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) have replaced a myriad of other platforms and resulted in the introduction of new capabilities. This is primarily because UASs represent a low-cost but equally capable alternative.

However, the development of UASs has not only led to the introduction of novel hardware and software, but also a change in how this technology is implemented.

Technology that was once considered ground-breaking, and came with the associated price tag, is now seen as disposable. There is nothing new in this cycle, as we discover faster and cheaper ways to manufacture high-end technology, it becomes a race to the bottom.

What is new, however, is the shift in mindset among civil and military users. Throughout history, a consistent trend emerges: technological advancements invariably culminate in a singular platform embodying the combined capabilities of their predecessors. For example, one 5th generation fast jet can now do the job of several 3rd generation fast jets, meaning an air force can purchase, maintain, and operate fewer aircraft while delivering the same effect.

But history has also taught us that developing such remarkable technology comes with an eye watering price tag. F35 is a prime example of this; it was designed to be the ‘whole package’ but has resulted in one of the most expensive aircraft ever developed, with an estimated programme life-time cost of $1.7 trillion. The implementation of UAVs in the military and civil domains appears to have reversed this trend. Rather than spending the money on one, arguably vulnerable piece of kit, operators are instead reverting to a legacy mindset by purchasing hundreds or thousands of smaller, low cost, and attritable UAS.

 

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