The aircraft strut market, valued at approximately $4.86 billion in 2026, is on track to expand to $6.85 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 9%, driven by advancements in lightweight materials, rising aircraft production, and demand for smart monitoring systems. Key opportunities lie in composite adoption and aftermarket services, with major players focusing on partnerships and innovation. Forecasts indicate continued growth to around $8.5 billion by 2035, fueled by electric aircraft integration and regional fleet expansions in Asia-Pacific.
Aircraft Strut Market Analysis
The aircraft strut sector has demonstrated robust expansion over the past decade, reflecting broader trends in aviation manufacturing and maintenance. From 2020 to 2025, the market experienced steady growth amid recovery from global disruptions, with increased focus on durable, high-performance components essential for landing gear, wings, and fuselage stability.
Market Size and Forecasts
Historical data from 2020-2025 shows the market climbing from roughly $3.2 billion in 2020 to $4.44 billion in 2025, achieving a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 6.7%. This period was marked by heightened investments in commercial fleet renewals and military upgrades, alongside material innovations that enhanced strut efficiency.
Looking ahead, projections for 2025-2030F anticipate acceleration, with the market reaching $6.85 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 9%. Factors contributing to this include the proliferation of unmanned and hybrid aircraft designs, which demand specialized struts for optimized load distribution and vibration control. By 2035F, the market is expected to surpass $8.5 billion, supported by ongoing advancements in sensor-integrated systems and sustainable manufacturing practices.
Market Segmentation
| Period | Market Size (USD Billion) | CAGR (%) | Key Drivers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-2025 | 3.2 to 4.44 | 6.7 | Fleet expansions, material lightweighting, regulatory safety enhancements |
| 2025-2030F | 4.44 to 6.85 | 9.0 | Smart strut technologies, unmanned aircraft demand, aftermarket growth |
| 2030-2035F | 6.85 to 8.5+ | 5.5-6.0 | Electric aviation integration, regional manufacturing shifts, predictive maintenance adoption |
Breaking down the market reveals diverse applications and materials shaping its trajectory. By type, landing gear struts dominate, accounting for over 40% of the market share due to their critical role in shock absorption and structural integrity during takeoffs and landings. Wing struts follow closely, benefiting from designs in braced and cantilever configurations that support aerodynamic efficiency.
In terms of operation, hydraulic struts hold the largest portion at around 60%, prized for their superior damping in heavy commercial and military platforms. Pneumatic options are gaining traction in lighter aircraft and UAVs, projected to grow at a faster clip through 2030.
Platform-wise, fixed-wing aircraft lead with commercial jets driving volume, while rotary-wing segments, including helicopters, show the highest growth potential amid defense procurements. Materials segmentation highlights titanium alloys as the frontrunner for strength-to-weight ratios, but composites and hybrid structures are forecasted to capture 25-30% share by 2035F, driven by fuel efficiency mandates.
Sales channels split between OEMs, which command 70% through direct integrations in new builds, and aftermarket, where MRO activities are expanding rapidly due to aging global fleets exceeding 25,000 active aircraft.
Emerging Trends
| Segment | Sub-Category | 2026 Share (%) | Projected Growth to 2030F |
|---|---|---|---|
| By Type | Landing Gear Struts | 42 | Moderate, driven by MRO |
| Wing Struts | 28 | Steady, with UAV boosts | |
| Fuselage/Engine/Cabin Struts | 30 | High, via customization | |
| By Material | Titanium Alloys | 35 | Stable, premium applications |
| Composites/Hybrids | 20 | Rapid, 12% CAGR | |
| Steel/Aluminum Alloys | 45 | Slowing, cost-focused shifts | |
| By Platform | Fixed-Wing | 65 | Dominant, commercial focus |
| Rotary-Wing | 35 | Fastest, military emphasis |
Several pivotal trends are redefining the aircraft strut landscape. The integration of smart sensors for real-time health monitoring stands out, enabling predictive maintenance that reduces downtime by up to 20% in high-utilization fleets. This technology, leveraging IoT and AI, is particularly prevalent in new-generation commercial aircraft programs.
Lightweighting remains a core focus, with composites reducing strut weight by 15-25% compared to traditional alloys, directly contributing to fuel savings and lower emissions. The rise of urban air mobility (UAM) and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles is spurring demand for compact, high-load struts tailored to novel propulsion systems.
Sustainability trends are evident in the push for eco-friendly manufacturing, including recycled materials and reduced-waste processes like additive manufacturing for custom fittings. Regulatory pressures from bodies emphasizing safety certifications are increasing certification complexity, prompting investments in modular designs for quicker adaptations.
Additionally, supply chain regionalization is accelerating, with manufacturers shifting production to mitigate tariff impacts on metals like titanium and aluminum, especially in North America and Asia-Pacific hubs.
Competitive Landscape
The market features a mix of established giants and specialized innovators, creating a moderately consolidated environment where OEM partnerships and technological edge dictate market shares. Leading players include aerospace heavyweights with integrated offerings spanning design, production, and aftermarket support.
Key competitors emphasize vertical integration to control quality and costs, with notable activities including expansions in production capacity for advanced landing systems and acquisitions to bolster portfolios in actuation and gear components. Market leaders hold about 35-40% combined share, leveraging strong relationships with airframers for exclusive supply deals.
Smaller entities focus on niche innovations, such as vibration-isolation struts for business jets or sensor-equipped models for military applications, often through collaborations with larger firms. Overall, the landscape is characterized by high barriers to entry due to stringent certifications, fostering strategic alliances over outright competition.
Major Players and Focus Areas :
Integrated systems providers prioritizing lightweight landing gear assemblies.
Material specialists advancing composite and sensor-based solutions.
MRO-focused entities expanding retrofit and upgrade services.
Regional manufacturers targeting defense and commercial niches in emerging markets.
Strategies
Industry participants are deploying multifaceted strategies to capitalize on growth. Innovation in smart and energy-efficient struts is paramount, with R&D investments targeting sensor integration and composite enhancements to meet fuel efficiency goals.
Partnerships and consolidations are widespread, enabling shared expertise in certification and customization, particularly for next-gen aircraft like hybrids and UAVs. Regional strategies involve localizing production to navigate trade barriers, such as establishing facilities in high-growth areas to reduce lead times and costs.
Cost management through lean manufacturing and predictive analytics helps offset rising material prices, while aftermarket expansion via digital MRO platforms ensures recurring revenue streams. Compliance with evolving safety standards drives investments in testing and engineering, positioning firms for long-term contracts.
To address challenges like supply chain vulnerabilities, diversified sourcing for alloys and components is a common tactic, alongside scenario planning for geopolitical and economic shifts.
Opportunities
Significant opportunities abound in the aftermarket segment, where fleet aging and extended service lives create demand for replacements and upgrades, potentially adding $1-2 billion in value by 2030F. The shift to electric and hybrid aircraft opens avenues for specialized struts optimized for new load profiles, with eVTOL programs alone projected to require thousands of units annually.
Emerging markets in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East offer untapped potential through urbanization-driven air travel booms, encouraging localized manufacturing and tailored solutions for regional jets. Lightweight composites present a high-impact area, with adoption in commercial platforms yielding fuel savings that justify premium pricing.
Predictive maintenance technologies, integrated with aircraft health systems, represent a burgeoning opportunity for data-driven services, enhancing operational efficiency for airlines and defense operators alike.
Regional Insights
North America remains the largest market, capturing over 38% share in 2026, bolstered by major aircraft production hubs and defense spending. Growth here is fueled by OEM ramp-ups and MRO activities for extensive commercial fleets.
Asia-Pacific emerges as the fastest-growing region, with a projected CAGR exceeding 10% through 2030F, driven by fleet expansions in China and India, alongside investments in domestic aerospace capabilities. Europe maintains steady progress, emphasizing sustainable innovations amid stringent environmental regulations.
South America and the Middle East & Africa show niche growth, primarily in military and business jet segments, with opportunities tied to resource-based economies funding aviation infrastructure.
| Region | 2026 Market Size (USD Billion) | CAGR to 2030F (%) | Key Factors |
|---|---|---|---|
| North America | 1.9 | 7.5 | OEM dominance, defense upgrades |
| Asia-Pacific | 1.3 | 11.0 | Fleet growth, local production |
| Europe | 1.0 | 6.0 | Sustainability focus, retrofits |
| Rest of World | 0.66 | 8.0 | Emerging defense, business jets |
Disclaimer: This news report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice or investment recommendations. All tips, sources, and projections are based on available industry insights and should be verified independently.