The aerospace and defense industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity is driven by automation, environmental sustainability, and operational efficiency, and the growing importance of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), unmanned systems and satellites. In the last three years alone, there have been over 237,000 patents filed and granted in the aerospace and defense industry, according to GlobalData’s report on Drones in defense: drone launchersBuy the report here.

Smarter leaders trust GlobalData

Report-cover

Data Insights Drones in defence: Drone launchers

Buy the Report

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

According to GlobalData’s Technology Foresights, which uses over 206,000 patents to analyze innovation intensity for the aerospace and defense industry, there are 110 innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.

Drone launchers is a key innovation area in drones

Drone launchers are systems or devices designed to facilitate the launch of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). ground-based systems, naval installations, and airborne platforms provide flexible and rapid deployment options. They provide a mechanism for launching drones into the air safely and efficiently. Drone launchers can include various components such as charging systems, launch tubes, landing surfaces, and docking terminals, depending on their specific design and functionality.

GlobalData’s analysis also uncovers the companies at the forefront of each innovation area and assesses the potential reach and impact of their patenting activity across different applications and geographies. According to GlobalData, there are 100+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established aerospace and defense companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of drone launchers.

Key players in drone launchers – a disruptive innovation in the aerospace and defense industry

‘Application diversity’ measures the number of applications identified for each patent. It broadly splits companies into either ‘niche’ or ‘diversified’ innovators.   

‘Geographic reach’ refers to the number of countries each patent is registered in. It reflects the breadth of geographic application intended, ranging from ‘global’ to ‘local’.  

Patent volumes related to drone launchers

Company Total patents (2021 - 2023) Premium intelligence on the world's largest companies
AeroVironment 27 Unlock Company Profile
Deutsche Telekom 6 Unlock Company Profile
Qualcomm 6 Unlock Company Profile
Lockheed Martin 11 Unlock Company Profile
Wing Aviation 16 Unlock Company Profile
United Parcel Service 44 Unlock Company Profile
Hyundai Motor 3 Unlock Company Profile
Nidec 3 Unlock Company Profile
U.S. Department of Defence 6 Unlock Company Profile
ThyssenKrupp 8 Unlock Company Profile
Express Scripts Insurance 5 Unlock Company Profile
Honda Motor 4 Unlock Company Profile
Kyocera 3 Unlock Company Profile
Ocado Group 4 Unlock Company Profile
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson 4 Unlock Company Profile
Textron 7 Unlock Company Profile
Amazon.com 5 Unlock Company Profile
Safran 13 Unlock Company Profile
Boeing 104 Unlock Company Profile
LG 3 Unlock Company Profile
Aerospace CH UAV 3 Unlock Company Profile
IBM 6 Unlock Company Profile
Walmart 14 Unlock Company Profile
Intel 9 Unlock Company Profile
Ford Motor 9 Unlock Company Profile
Tribune Broadcasting 5 Unlock Company Profile
Hood Technology 66 Unlock Company Profile
Zayo Group 3 Unlock Company Profile
Kespry 6 Unlock Company Profile
Skydio 2 Unlock Company Profile
SZ DJI Technology 25 Unlock Company Profile
Skycatch 2 Unlock Company Profile
Sarcos 3 Unlock Company Profile
Workhorse Group 34 Unlock Company Profile
Ampyx Power 3 Unlock Company Profile
Matternet 3 Unlock Company Profile
Azur Drones 3 Unlock Company Profile
Kitty Hawk 6 Unlock Company Profile
Zipline 3 Unlock Company Profile
KMW+Nexter Defense Systems 4 Unlock Company Profile
Asylon 9 Unlock Company Profile
Searete 4 Unlock Company Profile
Guangzhou Xaircraft Technology 2 Unlock Company Profile
Property Agent 2 Unlock Company Profile
Advanced Product Development 2 Unlock Company Profile
Chengdu Caizhi Shengyou Technology 2 Unlock Company Profile
Guangzhou Miaoyilian Technology 2 Unlock Company Profile
Zero 4 Unlock Company Profile
Ai Robotics 4 Unlock Company Profile
Aerovel 34 Unlock Company Profile

Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics

Boeing is one of the leading patent filers in the drone launchers segment. Notably, the company has submitted patents pertaining to a side-arm recovery system, designed to facilitate the operation of large unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) from compact vessels or ground sites, minimizing the spatial footprint. Patents related to vision-based navigation system are particularly associated with Aurora Flight Sciences, a subsidiary of Boeing that focuses on pioneering advancements in aircraft configurations, autonomous systems, propulsion technologies, and manufacturing processes.

Boeing also filed patents related to 3D printed designs of turbine inlets, airfoils, shafts and engine covers, among others. 

Some other key patent filers in this space include Hood Technology, Aerovel,  and AeroVironment.

In terms of application diversity, Skydio, Hood Technology,  and Safran are some of the leading innovators. By means of geographic reach, some of the leading patent filers include Aerovel, Hood Technology and KMW+Nexter Defense Systems.

To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the aerospace and defense industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Drones in Aerospace and Defense.

Data Insights

From

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Blending expert knowledge with cutting-edge technology, GlobalData’s unrivalled proprietary data will enable you to decode what’s happening in your market. You can make better informed decisions and gain a future-proof advantage over your competitors.

GlobalData

GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.

GlobalData’s Patent Analytics tracks patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.