Helicopter Blades Market | Growth Projections | Competitive Analysis

This report, from Stratview Research, studies the global helicopter blades market over the period 2011 to 2022. The report provides detailed insights into the market dynamics to enable informed business decision making and growth strategy formulation based on the opportunities present in the market.

Helicopter Blades Market: Highlights

The global helicopter blades market was valued at US$ 1,212.5 million in 2016 and is projected to grow at a healthy CAGR of 4.5% over the next five years to reach US$ 1,568.4 million in 2022. Increasing deliveries of helicopters, advancement in the blade technology such as electric tail rotor systems, continuous shift from heavy metal blades to lightweight composite blades, and rising helicopter fleet size are some of the major growth drivers of the global helicopter blades market.

The global helicopter blades market is segmented based on helicopter type as civil and parapublic, military, and civil/military. Military and civil/military segments currently dominate the helicopter blades market, driven by high deliveries of helicopters and large fleet size. H125, H135, and H145 of Airbus Helicopters, Black Hawk of Sikorsky, A-64 Apache of Boeing, and AW139 of Agusta Westland are amongst the key helicopter models which are driving the demand for blades in these segments. Civil and parapublic segment is projected to witness the highest growth during the forecast period, driven by increasing demand for light single-engine and intermediate & medium twin-engine civil helicopters.

Based on the material type, composites is likely to remain the largest and fastest-growing material type during the forecast period. The materials' potential in structural applications has been recognized since long by the Helicopter manufacturers. Military helicopters use composites ranging from 50% to 80% of the total airframe weight. The usage of composites varies significantly in civil helicopters. Some civil helicopter manufacturers are using composites extensively, whereas some are using them mainly in the non-structural applications. Blades are also not untouched with such dynamics and major helicopter manufacturers are increasingly adopting composite blades in their upcoming models. At the same time, there is also an increasing demand for composite blades in the aftermarket.

Based on blade location type, main rotor blade is projected to remain the largest type during the forecast period. Both main rotor and tail rotor blades are likely to witness similar growth over the next five years. There is an increasing penetration of composite materials in both the blade types.

Europe is projected to remain the largest and fastest-growing market for helicopter blades market during the forecast period. The region is the manufacturing capital of the helicopter industry with the presence of Airbus Helicopters, Agusta Westland, and Russian Helicopters. All the major helicopter manufacturers are producing blades in Europe only.

The supply chain of this market comprises raw material manufacturers, helicopter rotor and tail blade manufacturers, helicopter OEMs, MRO, and end users, such as oil & gas companies and military division of countries. The raw material manufacturers are Rio Tinto Group, Toray Industries, AGY Holdings, Owens Corning, Hexcel Corporation, and Evonik Industries. The key helicopter OEMs are Airbus Helicopters (formerly Eurocopter Group), Bell Helicopter, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Robinson Helicopter Company, Boeing, AgustaWestland S.p.A (now Leonardo)., and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

There are independent rotor and tail blade manufacturers as well as OEMs with in-house blade manufacturing capability. Most of the OEMs are currently having captive manufacturing of both rotor and tail blades. They do not sell rotor and tail blades to other OEMs. The key helicopter blade manufacturers are Bell Helicopter, Boeing Helicopter, Carson Helicopters, Airbus Helicopters, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Kaman Aerosystems, Robinson Helicopter Company, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, and Van Horn Aviation. New product development, collaboration with OEMs, and long-term contacts are the key strategies adopted by the key players to gain a competitive edge in the market. 

Research Methodology

Our reports offer high-quality insights and are the outcome of detailed research methodology comprising extensive secondary research, rigorous primary interviews with industry stakeholders and validation and triangulation with Stratview Research’s internal database and statistical tools. More than 500 authenticated secondary sources, such as company annual reports, fact book, press release, journals, investor presentation, white papers, patents, and articles have been leveraged to gather the data. More than 10 detailed primary interviews with the market players across the value chain in the all four regions and industry experts have been executed to obtain both the qualitative and quantitative insights. 

Report Features

This report provides market intelligence in the most comprehensive way. The report structure has been kept such that it offers maximum business value. It provides critical insights into the market dynamics and will enable strategic decision making for the existing market players as well as those willing to enter the market. The following are the key features of the report:

• Market structure: Overview, industry life cycle analysis, supply chain analysis
• Market environment analysis: Growth drivers and constraints, Porter’s five forces analysis, SWOT analysis
• Market trend and forecast analysis
• Market segment trend and forecast
• Competitive landscape and dynamics: Market share, product portfolio, product launches, etc.
• Attractive market segments and associated growth opportunities
• Emerging trends
• Strategic growth opportunities for the existing and new players
• Key success factors 

The global helicopter blades market is segmented into the following categories. 

Global Helicopter Blades Market by Helicopter Type:

• Civil Helicopter (Regional Analysis: NA, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
• Military Helicopter (Regional Analysis: NA, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
• Both (Civil / Military Helicopter) (Regional Analysis: NA, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

Global Helicopter Blades Market by Engine Type:

• Turbine (Regional Analysis: NA, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
• Piston (Regional Analysis: NA, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

Global Helicopter Blades Market by Blade Location Type:

• Main Rotor Blade (Regional Analysis: NA, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
• Tail Rotor Blade (Regional Analysis: NA, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

Global Helicopter Blades Market by Design Type:

• Symmetrical Helicopter Blade (Regional Analysis: NA, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
• Under Cambered Helicopter Blade (Regional Analysis: NA, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

Global Helicopter Blades Market by Material Type

• Carbon Composites (Regional Analysis: NA, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
• Hybrid Composites (Regional Analysis: NA, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
• Other Materials (Regional Analysis: NA, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

Global Helicopter Blades Market by Manufacturing Process

• Sandwich Construction Process (Regional Analysis: NA, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
• Other Processes (Regional Analysis: NA, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

Global Helicopter Blades Market by End-User Type 

• OE (Regional Analysis: NA, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
• Aftermarket (Regional Analysis: NA, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

Global Helicopter Blades Market by Region 

• North America (Country Analysis: the USA, Canada, and Mexico)
• Europe (Country Analysis: Germany, France, Italy, Russia, and Rest of Europe)
• Asia-Pacific (Country Analysis: China, India, and Rest of Asia-Pacific)
• Rest of the World (Country Analysis: Middle East, Latin America, and Others)

Report Customization Options

With this detailed report, Stratview Research offers one of the following free customization options to our respectable clients:

• Company Profiling
  • Detailed profiling of additional market players (up to 3 players)
  • SWOT analysis of key players (up to 3 players)

• Market Segmentation

• Current market segmentation of any one of the helicopter types by design type  

• Competitive Benchmarking

• Benchmarking of key players on the following parameters: Product portfolio, geographical reach, regional presence, and strategic alliances

Custom Research: Stratview research offers custom research services across the sectors. In case of any custom research requirement related to market assessment, competitive benchmarking, sourcing and procurement, target screening, and others, please send your enquiry at [email protected].