As the aviation industry transitions towards electrification, a significant challenge arises from the current limitations of electric power sources, especially when it comes to long-distance flights. The widely used Li-ion (Lithium-ion) technology, while fully developed, faces a hurdle with an annual energy density increase of less than 5%. This has prompted extensive exploration by researchers and battery companies for breakthroughs in battery chemistry, considering alternatives like sodium-ion (Na-ion), lithium-metal (Li-metal), lithium-sulphur (Li-S), or zinc-air (Zn-air). The objective is to match or surpass the energy density of 9.6kWh/L provided by conventional aviation fuel.
Presently, Li-ion batteries, the prevailing technology, boast a maximum charge capacity of 250Wh/kg. However, for short-range electric aircraft, specific energies ranging from 750-2,000 Wh/kg are essential. These figures are crucial as they represent 6-17% of the energy content of jet fuel, dependent on the size and range of the aircraft. Unfortunately, the existing battery technology constrains fully electric aircraft to approximately 200 kilometers per charge, presenting a significant barrier to the evolution of completely electric air travel.
Despite these challenges, notable progress has been made in the industry. UAV Turbines Inc., for instance, recently introduced the Monarch Hybrid Range Extender (HREX), a groundbreaking microturbine-powered generator designed to extend the range of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems (UAS). Hybrid aircraft, incorporating electric power generation components like micro turbines, address the limitations faced by traditional electric aircraft. These micro turbines propel the aircraft when additional power is required, or the batteries are depleted, effectively overcoming the hurdle of limited flight distance and charge capacity.
The key advantage of hybrid aircraft lies in their ability to integrate different power sources to optimize efficiency and overcome the shortcomings of individual technologies. For small aerial vehicles such as UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) and VTOLs (Vertical Takeoff and Landing aircraft), micro turbine engines serve as a hybrid power source, providing flexibility and extended range.
Looking ahead, the aviation industry is placing increased emphasis on reducing aircraft emissions while maintaining sufficient on-board power generation capacity. This shift in focus is anticipated to drive the market expansion for micro turbine engines. These engines offer a viable solution by combining the benefits of traditional combustion engines with the efficiency and environmental advantages of electric power. As the industry strives to balance the need for extended range and reduced environmental impact, micro turbine engines are emerging as a promising technology to propel the next phase of aviation innovation.
while the electrification of the aviation industry is a significant stride towards sustainability, the current limitations of battery technology, specifically in terms of energy density and charge capacity, present substantial challenges. Hybrid solutions, integrating technologies like micro turbine engines, showcase a promising pathway to overcome these limitations and pave the way for more sustainable and efficient air travel. As advancements continue and the industry places a stronger emphasis on reducing emissions, the evolution of hybrid power sources is likely to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of aviation.
Aircraft Micro Turbine Engine Market Size Aanticipated to Reach at a USD 2,127.7 Million In 2023 And Is Expected To Reach USD 3,573.3 Million By 2030, With A CAGR Rate Of 5.9 % by 2024–2030.
Aircraft micro turbine engine are also regarded as being manageable and having relatively little vibration and noise. Additionally, they provide a range of benefits including variable speed, compact size, quick installation, high-speed operation, cheap maintenance, and low NOX emissions. In both commercial and civil aviation, micro turbine engine are becoming more and more common. Additionally, these turbines are used in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) applications for tasks like criminal prevention, telecommunications, agriculture, disaster management, real-time reconnaissance, and remote sensing.
Aircraft micro turbine engine are small-scale combustion turbines that use micro combustion to provide cogeneration, or the simultaneous use of heat and electricity. It is preferred because of its features such as the use of various fuels, small size, and efficiency. Because aircraft micro engines are small, they may fit in very small spaces, freeing up space for other components in the design. The market has a promising growth potential over the projected period, owing to the inherent operational benefits of micro turbine engine engines, such as low operating and maintenance costs and the introduction of new generation hybrid design in aircraft.
COVID-19 Impact vs Opportunities for Global Aircraft Micro turbine engine Market:
The impact of COVID-19 on the aircraft microturbine engine sector was unexpected, and it will continue in effect until the second quarter of 2021. The COVID-19 outbreak compelled governments to enforce strict lockdown measures, resulting in aircraft cancellations and a restriction on e-commerce services, resulting in a major drop in commercial aviation and logistical activity worldwide. Furthermore, the statewide lockdown impacted supply chains by forcing various manufacturing facilities throughout the world to partially or completely shut down their operations.
According to the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) yearly global statistics, the total number of commuters carried on scheduled flights increased to 5.2 % as compared to 2018. The overall passenger load factor in 2021 was 68 percent, down from 82 percent in 2019.
Thus, throughout the projected period, the increase in air traffic is expected to boost the growth of the aviation micro turbine engine market.
Collaboration and Partnerships: Within the European market, a noticeable trend is emerging as companies join forces to pioneer innovative technologies for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Concurrently, governmental bodies are easing regulatory restrictions, thereby expanding the scope for broader civilian applications
Illustrative Advancements: An illustration of this collaborative spirit is evident in the July 2022 contract between Ricardo and Pratt & Whitney Canada. This partnership aims to advance hybrid-electric propulsion systems for the next generation of aircraft [5]. Additionally, Fusionflight recently unveiled a groundbreaking lightweight and potent microturbine generator specifically designed for drone applications.
Drivers:
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), worldwide military spending will reach $1,981 billion in 2020, a 2.6% rise from the previous year. In 2020, military spending would account for 2.4% of the global GDP. As a result of increased global military spending, the adoption of modern, more devastating warfare technology, such as highly efficient aircraft micro turbine engine, has increased. The increase in defense spending by several countries around the world is likely to drive the growth of the aircraft microturbine engine market during the forecast period.
According to NASA, distributed electric propulsion (DEP) technology is based on the assumption that tightly integrating the propulsion system with the airframe and dispersing several motors throughout the wing will boost efficiency, cut operating costs, and increase safety. The DEP employs propulsors that can be placed, scaled, and controlled with greater flexibility, allowing it to capitalize on the synergistic benefits of aero-propulsive coupling and outperform more traditional designs. Furthermore, the careful integration of electrically driven propulsors for boundary-layer ingestion increases propulsive efficiency. Propulsor placement and configuration can also be employed to reduce a lifting surface's trailing vortex system or to leverage an increase in dynamic pressure across blown surfaces for improved lift performance.
The growing temperature of the exhaust gases exacerbates the high-temperature condition. However, exhaust gas temperatures can be managed by recycling the excess heat to boost power output even further. To employ microturbine engines in aircraft, specialized cooling methods must be used. Adoption of this technology may be modest due to the greater mechanization involved. As a result, it may impede the expansion of the aviation microturbine engine industry.
The aircraft micro turbine engine engine market is growing exponentially and is expected to upsurge shortly. The supply chain analysis for the market comprises four key levels: spare part suppliers, distributors, aircraft microturbine engine providers, and end users.
The global aircraft micro turbine engine market has been segmented on the basis of Engine Type, Application, Fuel Type, End-User, and Region.
The global aircraft micro turbine engine market, based on Engine type, has been segmented into Turbojet, Turboshaft and Turboprop. The Turbojet segment accounted for the largest market share in 2021 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.5% during the forecasted period.
The global aircraft micro turbine engine market, based on application has been bifurcated into Vertical Take-off and landing (VTOL), Air Taxis, Cargo Aerial vehicles, Light Aircrafts, Military Unmanned Vehicles and Others.
.The global aircraft micro turbine engine market, based on fuel type has been divided into Jet Fuel, Diesel and Others.
On the basis of end-user the global aircraft micro turbine engine market has been divided into commercial aviation and military avaiation.
The global aircraft micro turbine engine market has been studied across Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, the Middle East & Africa, and South America. North America accounted for the largest market share in 2021 due to the presence of major companies, dealers, and suppliers in the U.S. and Canada such as Jetcats America, Honeywell International, and GE Aviation.
The factors contributing to the market growth in Asia-Pacific include the Indian government is increasing its defense spending. This in turn has increased demand for the procurement of military helicopters and fighter aircraft, supporting the market's expansion. In APAC, China is the main market for aviation microturbine engines. This region's market will expand more quickly than those in other areas.
Europe is the fastest-growing regional market globally due to an increase in the number of electric aircraft development programs, the creation of aerial vehicles with cutting-edge technologies, and an increase in air traffic are the main factors anticipated to contribute to the market's expansion in this region over the course of the forecast period.
The global market for aircraft micro turbine engine is projected to witness healthy growth during the forecast period, owing to the increasing demand for a business microturbine engine. The global market represents strong numbers in terms of consumption.
Key players operating in the global aircraft micro turbine engine market include Honeywell International Inc., GE Aviation, Rolls-Royce PLC, Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc., Raytheon Technologies Corporation, Safran SA, UAV Turbines Inc., Turbotech SAS, PBS Group, a.s., JETS-MUNT SL, Williams International, Sierra Turbines Inc., AMT NetherlandS B.V., Hawk Turbine AB, and Ingenieurbüro CAT, M. Zipperer GmbH.
GE’s strong military portfolio entered the 2022 Farnborough International Airshow. GE. In late June, GE's T901 turboshaft engine, developed as part of the U.S. Army's Improved Turbine Engine Program, finished its First Engine to Test (FETT) campaign (ITEP). On July 2022
The U.S. Department of Energy has chosen Raytheon Technologies for two R&D projects investigating the viability of using hydrogen and ammonia as efficient, carbon-free solutions for generating energy. In the first project, Raytheon Technologies will verify its ability to use hydrogen and hydrogen blends as fuel to run Mitsubishi Power Aero's FT4000 gas turbine unit. The PW4000TM turbofan aviation engine from Pratt & Whitney is available as the FT4000, a land-based version on July 2022
Safran declared a maintenance, repair, and refit (MRO) facility for leading-edge aviation propulsion (LEAP) commercial aircraft engines in India as part of its offset commitments. On July 2022
Williams International has successfully tested its FJ44-4 engine on Williams' experimental flying testbed using 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The 3.5-hour flight, which took place at a cruise altitude of FL450, left from Williams' flight operations center in Pontiac, Michigan, for destinations in northern Michigan. On April 2021
As per MRFR, the global aircraft micro turbine engine market has been growing significantly over the past few years. The global aircraft micro turbine engine market has been segmented on the basis of Engine Type, Application, Fuel-Type an End-User. Based on region, the micro turbine engine market has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East & Africa, and South America.
The scope of the global aircraft micro turbine engine market study includes the market size analysis and a detailed analysis of the vendor’s products and strategies. The global aircraft micro turbine engine market has been segmented on the basis of engine type, application, fuel type and end-user.
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