The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration’s annual Aerospace Forecast Report for fiscal years 2016-2036 focuses heavily on the UAS industry and predicts significant growth over the next several years.
According to the report, small drone sales could grow from 1.9 million in 2016 to as many as 4.3 million in 2020. Commercial UAS sales are expected to take off by an equally rapid pace, increasing from 600,000 this year to an anticipated 2.7 million in 2020. Combined UAS sales could therefore reach 7 million within the next four years. “Unmanned aircraft systems will be the most dynamic growth sector within aviation,” researchers said in the report.
The agency is basing its predicted surge in UAS sales on expectations that regulations will ease restrictions on piloting the aircraft, according to the Grand Forks Herald.
