The helicopter landing gear market was valued at approximately US$ 3,562.3 million in 2020 and is anticipated to grow to US$ 4,826.3 million by 2028, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2% from 2021 to 2028.
Manufacturers of landing gear are channeling investments into innovative technologies and are concentrating on the development of advanced landing gear systems, particularly as new helicopter models are introduced into the aviation industry. Their current focus includes enhancing corrosion resistance, minimizing noise, employing additive manufacturing techniques, utilizing composite materials for weight reduction, transitioning towards electric designs, and integrating various types of sensors, among other advancements. These technological innovations are expected to significantly contribute to market growth during the forecast period.
Composites are increasingly being used in the structural components of helicopters due to their superior stiffness and specific strength properties when compared to traditional materials like steel and aluminum. The drive for weight reduction is a key factor propelling the adoption of composite materials. Notably, the first composite landing gear component was developed at the National Aerospace Laboratory, which was a torque link for the NH-90 helicopter's main landing gear. In landing gear applications, the torque link plays a crucial role in stabilizing the landing gear during landing operations. The Structures Technology Department, part of the Aerospace Vehicles division at NLR, has designed numerous composite landing gear components for both fighter aircraft and large military helicopters.
When categorized by type, the skids segment is projected to experience the highest CAGR in the global helicopter landing gear market throughout the forecast period. Skid landing gear typically comprises two longitudinal skid tubes that contact the ground, connected by two cross tubes to the helicopter's fuselage; however, alternative designs are also available. The simplicity and lightweight nature of skid landing gear make it the preferred choice for smaller helicopters, where weight considerations are paramount.
The market is also segmented by material into aluminum landing gear sets, steel landing gear sets, composite landing gear sets, and titanium landing gear sets. Additionally, the market is divided based on application into civil helicopters and military helicopters. Geographically, North America emerged as the fastest-growing region in 2020. This region is a significant market for helicopter landing gear manufacturers, driven by various innovations in landing gear types and the presence of major helicopter manufacturers such as Bell Helicopter Textron, Hughes Helicopters, and Sikorsky Aircraft.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the supply chain and manufacturing processes of mechanical equipment, including the hardware components of helicopter landing gears. The global outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, coupled with lockdown measures, has led aerospace industry experts to predict a lag of at least a quarter in the supply chain for mechanical equipment. This disruption is expected to reverberate through the industry until mid-2021. However, as governments worldwide gradually lift containment measures to revive their economies, the mechanical equipment and aerospace sectors are anticipated to regain momentum. Production in the aerospace industry is expected to accelerate from 2022 onwards, which will positively affect the landing gear equipment market and the manufacturing of hardware components for helicopter landing gears.
The overall size of the helicopter landing gear market has been determined through a combination of primary and secondary research methods. The research process began with extensive secondary research utilizing both internal and external sources to gather qualitative and quantitative data related to the market. This approach also aimed to provide an overview and forecast of the helicopter landing gear market across all segments and regions. Furthermore, multiple primary interviews were conducted with industry participants and experts to validate the data and gain deeper analytical insights. Participants included industry professionals such as VPs, business development managers, market intelligence managers, and national sales managers, as well as external consultants like valuation experts, research analysts, and key opinion leaders specializing in the helicopter landing gear sector.
Key players in the market include APPH, Circor Aerospace, Dart Aerospace, Eurocarbon B.V., Liebherr-International Deutschland GMBH, Safran, Sika Interplant Systems Limited, St Engineering, Technodinamika, and Trelleborg Group.