The Sky's the Limit: Investing in Drone Detection Amid Aviation's Silent Crisis

The aviation sector is facing an escalating crisis: unauthorized drone activity is now the leading cause of near-midair collisions at U.S. airports. According to an Associated Press report, drones accounted for 67% of reported near-miss incidents at the top 30 busiest U.S. airports in 2024, the highest proportion since 2020. Over the past decade, drones have been responsible for 51% of all such incidents, with the first reports of drone-aircraft encounters dating back to 2014. These statistics underscore a systemic failure to address a threat that has grown exponentially alongside the popularity of drones.

The Cost of Complacency

The economic toll of drone-related disruptions is staggering. In 2018, a 33-hour drone-induced closure of Gatwick Airport cost airlines approximately €55.8 million, with EasyJet alone reporting €16.7 million in losses, according to a cost analysis. Similarly, Dubai International Airport (DXB) faced estimated losses of AED 61 million ($16.62 million) during a 2023 drone-related disruption, as Airsight estimated. These incidents highlight the operational and financial vulnerabilities of an industry that has underinvested in countermeasures.

Despite these risks, federal funding for drone detection remains inadequate. The FAA received $15 million in FY 2025 for counter-UAS research and development, while the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secured $5 million for portable detection systems, the AP report noted. These figures pale in comparison to the projected $11.12 billion global anti-drone market value by 2030, growing at a 26.53% CAGR. The disconnect between threat severity and investment levels creates a compelling opportunity for companies developing drone detection and countermeasure technologies.

Market Growth and Key Players

The drone detection market, valued at $729.8 million in 2024, is projected to expand at a 29% CAGR through 2030, driven by AI-powered systems, multi-sensor fusion, and 5G-enabled real-time monitoring. Leading firms are capitalizing on this demand:
- Anduril Industries has secured $250 million in contracts for its Roadrunner-M interceptor drones and Lattice AI sensor fusion systems.
- RTX (Raytheon Technologies) is scaling its Coyote counter-UAS family and KuRFS radar systems, with international expansion underway.
- Lockheed Martin is deploying AI-driven Sanctum and MORFIUS systems, while Epirus Inc. is field-testing high-power microwave solutions like Leonidas.
- Dedrone by Axon offers cloud-based command-and-control platforms, such as DroneSentry-C2, for real-time threat detection.

Regulatory Tailwinds

Legislative and executive actions are accelerating infrastructure spending. The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 extended counter-UAS authorities until 2028, enabling testing of detection systems at airports and critical infrastructure. In 2025, President Trump signed the Executive Order "Unleashing American Drone Dominance", mandating federal agencies to prioritize U.S.-made drones and streamline procurement. Additionally, the "Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty" executive order established a federal task force to counter adversarial drone threats. These mandates are expected to drive demand for domestic counter-UAS solutions.

The Investment Case

The underinvestment in drone detection infrastructure is a critical gap that investors can exploit. With over 1 million drones in U.S. skies and incidents rising by 45% between 2020 and 2022, the Drone Accident Statistics report highlights the urgent need for scalable solutions. Companies like Anduril, RTX, and Lockheed Martin are well-positioned to benefit from both public and private sector demand. Furthermore, the integration of AI, IoT, and directed energy weapons into counter-drone systems is creating a technological arms race, with first-movers likely to dominate the market.

As the aviation sector grapples with a silent crisis, the path forward is clear: robust investment in detection and mitigation technologies is not just a regulatory imperative but a lucrative opportunity for forward-thinking investors.