The number of drones in the US is expected to triple by 2020. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a staggering seven million drones will litter American skies in the next three years.
"Unmanned aircraft systems will be the most dynamic growth sector within aviation," the FAA said in its annual forecast for the unmanned aerial sector.
The agency also projects the number of drones to reach 2.5 million by the end of 2016. The biggest contributor to this increase will be the consumer drone sector, with purchases there accounting for 1.9 million units by the end of this year. It is estimated that hobbyist unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will account for 4.3 out of the seven million total drones by 2020.
More precise forecasts are difficult to achieve, as the drone market is constantly evolving. Predicting growth in the small unmanned aerial systems (UAS) commercial fleet is particularly difficult. Experts disagree on what implications any impending legal limitations will have on sales and fleet size. One thing is certain: The drone sector will undergo numerous changes in technology, regulations and pricing.
The FAA was finding it tough for its legal guidelines to keep up with the constantly evolving technology, but in December issued new regulations requiring any UAV weighing more than .55 pounds (250 grams) and less than 55 pounds (25kg) to be registered.
