Counterdrone – USD$10bn Addressable Market

Military – Vehicle/Ship Mounted

Military vehicles and ships represent a significant high value target for drone attacks. Substantial proportion of military vehicles fielded in austere environments is expected to carry drone countermeasures. Considering, for example, that there were approximately 25,000 Humvees [1] deployed to Afghanistan by 2021, that demonstrates the size of the opportunity for military vehicle protection.

Military – Portables

The future soldier squad will require drone countermeasures. Over time, in every squad or platoon, at least one member will be outfitted with drone detection and defeat products to protect their fellow warfighters. Market size estimates are based on the number of infantry squads that could potentially be outfitted with drone countermeasures in target markets such as the US Marine Corps [2], US Army Infantry and Australian Infantry Corps [3].

Military – Helicopter

Like vehicles, helicopters present a significant high value target for drone attacks. In the future, each helicopter will require drone countermeasures, representing a large market opportunity. Market estimates are based on the number of military helicopters in service in target markets [4].

Military – Fixed Site

Military installations present a target for nefarious drone activity including attacks and surveillance. The US alone has over 800 bases world-wide [5]. Substantial majority of the bases will require protection from drones in the form of detection and defeat functionality.

Government – Fixed Sites

Government facilities such as embassies, consulates and permanent missions represent a target for nefarious drone activity including attacks and surveillance. Based on estimates of the number of diplomatic missions among eligible countries [6], this as a multi-million-dollar addressable market.

Law Enforcement – Portables

Like military, law enforcement (including federal agencies such as border protection) is predicted to require drone countermeasures as part of the typical equipment kit-out for police officers in the field. Whether it is protecting large events or protecting establishments or VIPs, law enforcement deployment will represent a large segment. Market estimates are based on the number of serving police officers in target markets with consideration of market saturation [7], [8], [9].

Protective Security/ VIP

Drones can represent a nuisance or credible threat to VIPs. Although a smaller market compared to military and Government and largely restricted to detection only (no defeat for majority of this customer base), this will be a clear opportunity to address issues of privacy and personal safety [10].

Airports – Fixed Sites

There are over 1,500 international airports in the world [11]. Each individual airport can require a multi-million-dollar system for drone detection.

Stadiums/ Events – Fixed Sites

Large events in stadiums are attractive to negligent drone pilots trying to get a sneak peak, or large soft targets to nefarious actors. For protection of such locations, drone countermeasures will be increasingly important. Estimates are based on the number of large stadiums that would require counterdrone systems [12].

Energy Production / Critical Infrastructure, Oil Refineries and Mining Sites

Energy production, oil and gas refineries and mining sites represent significant targets for surveillance or drone attack. Estimates are based on the number of power plants [13] and oil refineries [14] within this addressable market, with consideration of market saturation.

Shipping and Ports

Shipping freighters and ports are large, easy targets for drone attacks or surveillance. Estimates are based on the number of large sea-ports [15] and freighters [16] in this addressable market, with consideration of market saturation. 

Correctional Facilities

Correctional facilities already have issues with contraband being delivered by drone inside the prison walls. Estimates are based on the number of prisons in this target market [17] and the approximate cost of systems to protect large facilities of this nature.

Civilian Helicopters and Heliports

Drones present a real and present threat to helicopter safety. Similar to airports, these will be required to have drone detection systems to clear air safety prior to flight. Estimates of market size are based on the approximate number of helicopters [18] and heliports [19] in the total addressable market with consideration for market saturation.

Copyright, DroneShield, 2021