Aircraft Mounts Market Trends

Growth Drivers

• Military modernization and increased defense budgets: Global military aircraft modernization is a primary driver for advanced mounts. The U.S. Department of the War report in March 2023, the U.S. Department of Defense budget request of USD 842 billion, with a USD 26 billion rise in the year 2023 and USD 200 billion in 2022, signals the expanded investment in military aviation programs. The essential components in the aircraft mounts are used in fighter and transport aircraft, helicopters, ISR, and unmanned systems. An increase in the defense budget, mainly in procurement, RDT&E, and sustainment, directly elevates the demand for these mounting systems. The trend necessitates mounts capable of handling high thrust-to-weight ratios and offering signature management. Suppliers must align with defense contractors and invest in R&D for materials that meet these often-classified performance specifications to capture long-term program-locked revenue streams.

• Aging fleet and sustained MRO demand: The operational lifespan of the aircraft ensures a steady aftermarket for the mount replacement and maintenance. An aging global fleet, including many aircraft over years old, undergoes a continuous maintenance cycle where worn shock and vibration mounts are replaced. This creates a predictable recurring revenue stream distinct from the cyclicality of new aircraft production. Further, companies can capitalize on this by developing deep MRO network relationships and offering cost-effective certified parts with longer service lives. This aftermarket segment is mainly resilient to economic downturns that can delay new aircraft orders. For example, the FAA’s 2023 forecast shows a significant portion of the active fleet will require sustained maintenance for decades, securing long-term demand for replacement mounts.
• Expansion of commercial airline fleets: Commercial fleet growth remains a foundational driver for aircraft mounts demand. The U.S. Department of Transportation data in March 2023 indicated that the U.S. airline passenger enplanements are rising, and in 2022, they were 853 million. This increasing passenger count increases the utilization of the aircraft and surges the fleet replacement cycles. Increased new aircraft deliveries require factory-installed mounts for engines, landing systems, and avionics. High utilization also stimulates the wear on mounts, increasing MRO-driven replacement volumes. The global air travel normalization via 2025 continues supporting OEM production stability. It forecasts the remaining on trend in 2025, the global aircraft mounts market is expected to grow as commercial build rates return to pre-pandemic levels.

Challenges

• High R&D and capital investment: Developing advanced mounts with composite materials and integrated health monitoring requires substantial upfront investment. For instance, NASA’s research into next-gen airframe structures that influence the mount design involves grants and contracts worth millions of dollars. A recent report has highlighted that the aerospace R&D intensity is higher than the average for all the manufacturing sectors. Further, the established players, such as Lord Corporation, invest heavily in the material science labs and testing facilities, a capital outlay that is prohibitive for smaller and emerging suppliers.
• Complex global supply chain dynamics: Manufacturers are exposed to disruptions in the supply of specialized raw materials such as high-performance elastomers and alloys. The recent data depict that the supply chain issues were a key factor limiting the aircraft production rates in recent years. Further, companies reduce this issue via vertical integration and multi-sourcing strategies, but new entrants lack this leverage. Geopolitical tensions and trade restrictions can further delay the critical components directly impacting the production schedules and the ability to fulfill the orders on time, crippling a new supplier's reputation.