Introduction

Aircraft computers — on-board computing systems that drive avionics, flight control, engine management, and mission systems — are critical for modern aviation. Stratview Research estimates the aircraft computers market at US$ 5.3 billion in 2022, growing to US$ 7.74 billion by 2028 at a CAGR of 6.4%.

Key Features

These systems include a variety of compute types — flight control computers, engine control units, mission computers, flight-management computers (FMC), and utility controls.They are built for extreme reliability, redundancy, fault tolerance, and real-time processing, enabling them to handle mission-critical tasks under stringent safety and certification standards.

Applications

Aircraft computers find use across multiple domains:

• Commercial fixed-wing aircraft, powering avionics and flight management;
• Military platforms, controlling mission computers, weapon systems, and defensive avionics;
• Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), managing navigation, payload, and data links;
• Aftermarket and OEM maintenance, enabling predictive diagnostics, system upgrades, and embedded analytics.

Trends

• Digital transformation: Airlines and defense manufacturers are integrating advanced avionics and AI-enabled computing into new platforms.
• Edge processing & connectivity: On-board computing is increasingly used to process sensor data locally, reducing latency and dependence on ground links.
• Next-gen aircraft: Emerging types like eVTOLs and autonomous drones demand compact, lightweight, and high-performance computers.

Opportunities

• Urban Air Mobility (UAM): Compact aircraft such as eVTOLs and small AP-driven platforms will require new, efficient computing architectures.
• Predictive maintenance: On-board systems can analyze real-time data to forecast failures and optimize maintenance schedules.
• Defense modernization: Upgrading mission computers in military aircraft and UAVs is a growing market.
• Retrofit market: Airlines and operators can upgrade older aircraft with newer computers to extend life and improve efficiency.

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Conclusion

The aircraft computers market is set for stable growth, underpinned by increasing air traffic, digital avionics, and the rise of next-generation aircraft. With a projected value of US$ 7.74 billion by 2028 (per Stratview Research), the sector offers lucrative opportunities across commercial, defense, and unmanned platforms. As aviation evolves, on-board computing will remain a core enabler of safety, performance, and innovation.