According to Fortune Business Insights™, the global drone sensors market was valued at USD 394.7 million in 2020 and is projected to reach USD 2,342.1 million by 2028, exhibiting a strong CAGR of 25.08% during the forecast period (2021–2028). Growth is being propelled by the increasing integration of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) across both defense and commercial applications worldwide.
The drone sensors market is gaining significant momentum, fueled by the rising adoption of UAVs in industries such as agriculture, logistics, aerial imaging, public safety, and defense. Drones depend on a wide range of sensors—including image, inertial, pressure, and distance sensors—to achieve precise navigation, stable flight, and accurate real-time data capture.
The demand for high-performance sensors has escalated as industries seek smarter, more autonomous operations. Advanced sensor systems enable drones to execute long-range flights, precision imaging, and enhanced surveillance, making them indispensable across both commercial and defense operations.
Rising Military Adoption of Unmanned Systems
Military forces worldwide are rapidly adopting unmanned systems for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting (ISRT) missions. According to SIPRI, global defense spending exceeded USD 1.9 trillion in 2019 and continues to grow. Modernization programs increasingly emphasize UAV procurement, driving the demand for advanced sensors such as infrared, LiDAR, pressure, and inertial sensors for precise operations.
The growing integration of artificial intelligence into drone automation is further expected to accelerate market expansion.
Expanding Commercial Applications
Drones are revolutionizing industries through applications like aerial photography, delivery services, precision farming, and infrastructure monitoring. According to Goldman Sachs, drones could create opportunities worth USD 11 billion in the construction sector and USD 5.9 billion in agriculture.
Precision farming—enabled by multispectral and thermal imaging sensors—supports soil monitoring, crop health assessment, and pesticide spraying, significantly improving yields. These advancements are set to propel commercial drone adoption, creating strong demand for advanced sensor systems.
Despite strong growth, challenges remain. Drone sensors are sensitive to extreme environmental conditions, which may cause performance issues in harsh climates. Moreover, the high cost of advanced sensor systems—due to complex circuit designs and dependencies on multiple technologies—remains a barrier for wider adoption, particularly in cost-sensitive markets.
https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/drone-sensor-market-102596
By Sensor Type
The drone sensors market is segmented into inertial sensors, image sensors, speed & distance sensors, position sensors, and other sensor categories such as pressure, altimeter, ultrasonic, current, and light sensors. Inertial sensors include accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt sensors, and magnetometers, and are projected to generate USD 312.5 million by 2025. Meanwhile, image sensors—covering thermal, infrared, and multispectral technologies—are expected to record the highest CAGR through 2028, primarily due to their increasing use in aerial photography and advanced imaging applications. Speed and distance sensors include radar, LiDAR, and proximity solutions, while position sensors rely on GPS and GNSS technologies to ensure accurate navigation. These diverse sensors collectively form the backbone of UAV functionality by enabling precise navigation, mapping, and operational stability.