Aircraft CPU Market: Current Analysis and Forecast (2024-2032)

Aircraft CPUs or central processing units are semiconductor chips that act as a control center for all the processing and computing in an aircraft. They interpret, process, and execute all the software and hardware programs running through multiple devices in an aircraft.

The Global Aircraft CPU market was valued at USD 1,091.24 million in 2023 and is expected to grow at a strong CAGR of around 4.53% during the forecast period (2024-2032). One of the factors that have contributed to the market growth is the rising geopolitical tension; many countries across the globe have initiated fortifying their air prowess with the addition of new fighter jets. Major countries, such as the US, China, Russia, India, the UK, Germany, etc., have increased their budgetary allocation towards capital expenditure on new weapons and platform purchases.

In January 2024, the French government announced the purchase of 42 additional Rafale Jets with a total cost of USD 5.5 billion. The respective aircraft will be delivered between 2027 to 2032.

In another instance, in 2023, the Defense Acquisition Council of India announced the purchase of 97 additional Tejas fighter jets and 156 Prachand attack helicopters. Both aircraft are domestically produced in India and would cost approximately USD 13 billion.

Apart from this, the rapid growth of domestic and international air travel has enhanced the low-cost carrier fleet across the globe. These airlines are often called budget airlines with the focus on keeping costs lower, due to which a large section of customers have been attracted towards it. Considering the demand, many of the low-cost carrier players have announced their plans to enhance their fleet with the addition of new aircraft.

Based on type, the global Aircraft CPU market is segmented into single-core, dual-core, and multi-core CPUs. Of these, dual-core CPUs have gained major market share due to a large number of third-, fourth-, and later-generation aircraft using dual-core CPUs. Dual-core processors offer improved system capabilities with higher processing power and more power efficiency. According to one of the leading aerospace avionics manufacturers such as Collins Aerospace, 'this transition would result in a reduction in size, weight, and power (SWaP) and the usage of common processing platforms, providing multiple potential benefits for programs in terms of reduced costs, spares management, and obsolescence.' Single-core processors are facing obsolescence due to the surge of multi-and dual-core processors with enhanced computing functions.

Based on the Type of Aircraft, the global Aircraft CPU market has been bifurcated into commercial and military. Of this, commercial aircraft have grabbed the major market share due to the large fleet deployed for commercial applications. The commercial aircraft segment has also thrived in recent years due to many of the leading aviation companies announcing the purchase of big-ticket commercial aircraft to increase their existing fleet.

For instance, in 2023, Interglobe Aviation (Indigo) announced the purchase of 500 Airbus A320 aircraft, with deliveries starting between 2030 and 2035.

In another instance, in 2024, China's state-owned manufacturer, Air China, announced the purchase of 100 domestically manufactured c919 jets from the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac).

For a better understanding of the market adoption of Aircraft CPUs, the Global Aircraft CPU market is analyzed based on its worldwide presence in regions such as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World. Of these, the North American region held the largest share in 2023. North America has a vast aviation industry, and it is looking forward to a shift towards cleaner alternatives such as electric and using sustainable fuel. Additionally, the region is home to the largest manufacturers of commercial and military jets across the globe. Considering the high volume of production and its extensive domestic demand and foreign exports, the region is further anticipated to dominate the demand for aircraft CPUs in the coming period.

Some of the major players operating in the market include Pythium Technologies Co. Ltd., NXP Semiconductor N.V., L3harris Technologies, ARM Ltd., Intel Corporation, Qualcomm Inc., and Advanced Micro Devices Inc.