Helicopter Blades Market Size

Helicopter Blades Market size valued at USD 545 million in 2018 and is estimated to exhibit over 3% CAGR from 2019 to 2025.

Increasing helicopter sales across the globe owing to rising applications in military and emergency medical services (EMS) among others are driving the helicopter blades market share over the study timeframe. The development of advanced new helicopters with increasing payload capabilities, comfort, connectivity, and ease of operations are diversifying its applications across EMS. Additionally, an upsurge in military and defense budgets globally are providing a positive outlook for the industry expansion.

The ability of helicopters to perform a diversified range of operations including vertical take-off and landing operations along with the capability to hover across areas are expanding the helicopter blades market size. Additionally, the usage of light materials for producing such aircrafts with a focus on improving efficiency and reduce carbon emissions are the prime focus areas of manufacturers to increase their business share.

Industry players are continuously engaged in R&D for developing advanced manufacturing processes for improving their operational efficiency. Most manufacturers are also opting for 3D printing and additive manufacturing technologies, that enables for rapid prototyping and reducing production time considerably. For instance, in February 2019, Thermwood Corporation announced the production of helicopter blades for Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. using Large Scale Additive Manufacturing (LSAM) 3D printing technologies.

The increasing adoption of smart helicopter technologies are enabling OEM’s to diversify their product portfolio and gain competitive edge over the competition. The incorporation of innovative blade systems including the active blades with the capability of adapting to the aerodynamic properties of helicopter blade flows enables for efficient flight travel. Additionally, the smart blades also enable for reduced vibrations, noise & harshness, thereby boosting the helicopter blades market share over the study timeframe.

Industry participants are continuously upgrading their product portfolio by introducing newer variants with multiple blade rotors to improve the overall helicopter in-flight experience. These are also designed with a focus on minimizing noise, turbulence, and vibrations along with focus on improving efficiency. For instance, in July 2018, Airbus launched H160 helicopters with an advanced Blue Edge five-bladed main rotor system, thereby enhancing the helicopter blades market share.

Stringent regulatory norms associated with the mandatory testing and regulating the helicopter blades prior to commercialization are providing a positive outlook. Government organizations including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) offers multiple regulations including the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) and Parts Manufacturing Authority (PMA) that mandates certain tests including fatigue, material, and airborne testing, thereby encouraging manufacturers to offer reliable and highly durable helicopter blades.

Helicopter Blades Market Analysis

Military segment will witness significant growth owing to the development of helicopters with a wide range of applications and operations including high-speed combat and stealth among others. The advanced helicopters can reach a speed of around 250 miles/hr and are equipped with efficient rotor systems that reduces airflow breakdown possibilities for enhancing helicopter speed. Defence organisations including the Russian Ministry of Defence are testing their main rotor blades systems for combat helicopters for assisting in military operations. For instance, in December 2018, Russian Defence Ministry approved the development of combat helicopters and invested around USD 130 million in the project. Additionally, military organisations across the globe are procuring new helicopters to enhance their defence power. For instance, April 2019, the U.S. agreed to sell its multi-role MH-60R helicopters to India. The country is also expected to purchase 24 Seahawk maritime helicopters with an estimated cost of around USD 2.6 billion.

Civil helicopters will account for a significant share owing to increasing usage in tourism and online on-demand helicopter rental services. The emerging on-demand air mobility service providers offering instantaneous services is playing a major role in boosting the helicopter blades market size over the forecast timeline. Major air service providers are also expanding geographically to increase their market share. For instance, in 2018, Fly Blade in association with Hunch Ventures launched its on-demand helicopter services in India.

The main rotor blade accounts for major volume share in the helicopter blades market. Defense forces are continuously investing in R&D and developing several programs including the Joint Multi-Role Technology Demonstrator (JMR-TD) for developing medium utility helicopters with a focus on increasing the helicopter speed. For instance, in December 2018, Boeing and Sikorsky unveiled its advanced compound helicopter with the combination of rigid rotors and coaxial rotors, thereby expanding the helicopter blades market size.

The tail rotor blade will showcase a significant growth owing to the rising helicopter production and deliveries across the globe. The tail rotor maintains the helicopter balance and prevents the movement in unwanted direction. The development of composite tail blades with reduced vibration levels compared to conventional blades further boosts the product penetration. The expansion of manufacturing and production facilities are positively influencing the segment share. For instance, in April 2019, Airbus Helicopters opened its additional assembly line for light weight twin H135 in China.

Carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) will account for significant share in the helicopter blades market size. This can be credited to the superior strength offered by these materials for supporting helicopter operations. Additionally, the material offers higher specific modulus, that contributes significantly towards lowering helicopter weight and improving blade strength, thereby further proliferating the segment size.

The glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) will showcase a considerable growth in the helicopter blades market share over the projected timeframe. The material offers significant advantages over the conventional blade materials including lower manufacturing cost, light weight, and ease in manufacturing processes. However, the lower stiffness may limit its usage in main rotor blades.

OEM is expected to account for a significant volume share in the helicopter blades market size. The dominance can be attributed to the increasing helicopter production globally. The advent of light weight materials along with rising focus on upgrading existing helicopter fleet with advanced blades for increasing payload capacities. For instance, in March 2019, Airbus announced the upgradation of its H145 helicopters with five-blade rotor technology for increasing the total payload by 150 kg.

Aftermarket will grow considerably in the helicopter blades market owing to the requirement for periodic maintenance over a period of definitive flight cycles. The parts are required to be replaced owing to wear and tear coupled with stringent airworthiness regulations. The helicopter service providers are continuously engaged in long term agreements with MRO providers for carrying out the maintenance of their fleet. For instance, in April 2019, Caverton Helicopters signed a multi-year maintenance contract with Heli-One for serving their Sikorsky S-76C++ helicopters.

North America helicopter blades market share will witness significant growth owing to the presence of prominent manufactures across the region. Manufacturers are opening new production and manufacturing facilities for supporting the growing helicopters demand. For instance, in March 2019, Kopter announced the opening of its new SH09 helicopter production facility in the U.S. Moreover, rising defense budget along with continuous upgradation of existing military helicopters are further supporting the regional expansion. For instance, in March 2019, the U.S. government proposed a budget of around USD 720 billion for Department of Defense.

Asia Pacific will grow considerably in the helicopter blades market shre over the projected timeframe. This can be attributed to the rising helicopter usage in emergency rescue operations. For instance, in November 2018, Russian Helicopters signed a deal for providing 20 Ansat EMS light twin helicopters to the Emergency Medical Association of China. Additionally, proliferating tourism in the region is resulting into growing helicopters demand. For instance, in February 2018, Nautilus Aviation received two bell helicopters for charter, tourism and utility operations.

Helicopter Blades Market Share

Helicopter blades market players consist of Airbus :

• S.A.S.
• Van Horn Aviation, LLC
• Bell Helicopter Textron
• Boeing
• Lockheed Martin Corporation
• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited

The indusrey manufacturers are expanding their production facilities to capture growing product demand. For instance, in December 2017, Airbus S.A.S. opened its new helicopter blades production facility in Paris. The production facility is expected to produce more than 4,000 blades every year.

Industry Background

Helicopter blades are gaining momentum across the globe owing to the development of advanced manufacturing processes along with rising helicopter production globally. Supervisory bodies including the FAA are providing safety standards along with mandating rigorous testing of helicopter blades for ensuring safety and reliability. The development of new blade product technologies will enhance the NVH characteristics and further strengthen the helicopter blades market share over the projected timeframe.

Industry participants are testing newly developed products against the stringent flight tests to ensure compliance with safety regulations. The long-term contracts with helicopter manufacturers and R&D investments to develop advanced products are the growth strategies adopted by the manufacturers to enhance their market share.