Aircraft Strut Market - Cumulative Impact of United States Tariffs 2025 - Global Forecast to 2030

The Aircraft Strut Market size was estimated at USD 349.56 million in 2024 and expected to reach USD 377.28 million in 2025, at a CAGR 7.78% to reach USD 548.19 million by 2030.

The aircraft strut serves as a critical energy absorber and structural support element within modern aviation systems, ensuring safe takeoffs, landings, and in-flight stability. Over time, this component has evolved from simple steel shock absorbers to sophisticated assemblies engineered for lightweight performance, durability, and high-stress endurance. With advancements in materials science, novel design methodologies, and stringent regulatory requirements, the strut market has witnessed remarkable innovation. As airlines and manufacturers strive to reduce fuel consumption, optimize maintenance cycles, and meet sustainability goals, the demand for advanced strut technologies has grown exponentially. This introduction sets the stage for a deep dive into the trends reshaping the industry, the impact of evolving trade policies, and key insights drawn from detailed segmentation, regional dynamics, and competitive landscapes. By unpacking these layers, decision-makers can align their strategies with emerging opportunities and navigate the complexities of a rapidly transforming market.

In recent years, a convergence of technological breakthroughs and shifting market priorities has redefined the aircraft strut landscape. Digital twins and real-time health monitoring systems now enable predictive maintenance strategies that minimize downtime and extend service life. Simultaneously, advances in additive manufacturing have unlocked unprecedented design freedom, allowing complex internal geometries in struts that were previously unattainable through traditional forging or casting processes. Sustainability imperatives have accelerated the adoption of composite materials-particularly carbon fiber composites-over conventional aluminum alloys, reflecting a broader trend towards lightweighting across the aerospace sector.

Furthermore, integrated electrification and hybrid propulsion concepts are driving new requirements for strut stiffness and vibration damping. Strut suppliers are responding by experimenting with hybrid material combinations-such as titanium alloys bonded to glass fiber composites-to balance strength, weight, and cost. Beyond materials and manufacturing, regulatory bodies are imposing stricter certification protocols for shock absorption performance under extreme loading scenarios, compelling original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to collaborate closely with component suppliers. Together, these transformative shifts signal a new era for strut design and production, one defined by digital integration, material innovation, and regulatory rigor.

The introduction of new tariffs by the United States in early 2025 has created significant ripples across the global supply chain for aircraft struts. By increasing duties on imported raw materials such as titanium alloys and specialty steel, domestic material suppliers have seen cost structures rise, prompting manufacturers to reevaluate sourcing strategies. Some OEMs have accelerated vertical integration efforts, choosing to bring forging and machining processes in-house to insulate themselves from import volatility. In parallel, manufacturers reliant on composite materials have faced higher expenses for carbon fiber composites, leading to a renewed emphasis on glass fiber composites in secondary applications where weight penalties are less critical.

These tariff-driven cost pressures have also influenced the structure of long-term contracts: airlines are seeking fixed-cost agreements for landing gear components to limit exposure, while strut producers are exploring hedging mechanisms tied to metal price indices. Small and medium enterprises that previously depended on low-cost imports from Europe and Asia have been forced to pivot towards domestic suppliers or diversify into lightweight aluminum alternatives. Looking ahead, the tariff environment is poised to remain a strategic factor shaping supply chain resilience, cost competitiveness, and long-range procurement decisions for all stakeholders in the strut market.

Comprehensive segmentation analysis reveals nuanced growth drivers and critical focus areas across multiple dimensions. Material Type variations such as aluminum alloys continue to dominate entry-level applications, whereas stainless steel delivers enhanced corrosion resistance for helicopter and general aviation platforms. Titanium alloys excel in high-performance fighter jets due to their superior strength-to-weight ratio. Meanwhile, composite materials-particularly carbon fiber composites for narrow-body aircraft and glass fiber composites for transport aircraft-are gaining traction where weight savings justify premium processing costs.

Design Type considerations further shape manufacturing and maintenance regimes. Coil struts offer modularity and ease of repair, making them popular for wide-body commercial fleets, while monoleaf struts, characterized by single-piece construction, are preferred in military applications where durability under high-stress landings is critical. Multileaf struts provide a compromise between flexibility and load-bearing capacity, often deployed in general aviation.

The Manufacturing Process segment highlights that casting remains cost-effective for standard performance struts, forging is the go-to for high-performance struts requiring tight tolerances, and machining is essential for custom or lightweight strut variants. From an Application perspective, main landing gear struts on commercial aircraft-both narrow-body and wide-body-demand high fatigue resistance, whereas nose landing gear assemblies prioritize compactness and shock absorption.

Assessing Functionality, landing gear subtypes differentiate between main landing gear and nose landing gear, each with distinct load profiles. Shock absorption systems and suspension system struts are engineered differently to meet specific dynamic response characteristics. In End Use, OEMs drive innovation through collaborative R&D, while the aftermarket segment-encompassing repair services and replacement parts-focuses on cost efficiency and rapid turnaround. Structure Type offers a choice between hollow struts for weight optimization and solid struts for maximum load capacity. Weight Category splits into heavyweight solutions tailored to transport and military platforms versus lightweight variants for general aviation and emerging electric aircraft. Finally, Performance distinctions separate high-performance struts deployed in extreme duty cycles from standard performance models used in routine commercial operations.

Regional performance in the strut market is shaped by varying aviation infrastructures, regulatory frameworks, and fleet compositions. The Americas region, led by North America, boasts a robust aftermarket ecosystem underpinned by extensive repair networks and a mature OEM base. This region’s emphasis on commercial narrow-body fleets has spurred investment in carbon fiber composite struts to achieve fuel efficiency targets.

In Europe, Middle East & Africa, a combination of stringent environmental regulations and strategic defense procurement programs drives demand for titanium alloy struts in military fighter jets and transport aircraft. The growth of low-cost carriers in the Gulf has also fueled orders for durable coil struts optimized for rapid turnaround between short-haul flights.

Asia-Pacific emerges as a dynamic hub for both manufacturing and consumption. Rapid fleet expansion in emerging markets has created strong demand for cost-effective aluminum alloy struts and standard performance models for general aviation and helicopters. Meanwhile, domestic OEMs in China and India are investing heavily in forging and advanced machining capabilities to reduce reliance on imported components and capture greater value within the supply chain.

The competitive landscape features a blend of specialized fabricators, diversified component suppliers, and vertically integrated OEM partners. Acorn Welding by Hartzell Aerospace Welding stands out for its precision welding techniques in titanium structures, while Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Co. excels in aftermarket distribution across light aircraft segments. Bansbach Easylift has carved a niche with its innovative gas spring technology for shock absorption systems. Barnes Group Inc. leverages its global footprint to supply high-integrity forged components, and Birken Manufacturing by Enjet Aero, LLC specializes in custom composite strut assemblies.

DANOBATGROUP brings advanced machining expertise to bear on high-performance struts, complemented by Hexagon AB’s digital metrology solutions for quality assurance. Infinity Aerospace LLC partners with key airlines for predictive maintenance services that extend strut service life. Kistler Group integrates sensor technologies for real-time load monitoring in both landing gear and suspension systems. LeFiell Company Inc., under the stewardship of Brandon Camp and David Gomes, is known for its rapid prototyping capabilities. Park Aerospace Corp. focuses on niche applications within military transport fleets, whereas PCX Aerosystems, LLC offers end-to-end manufacturing from forging through final assembly.

Precision Castparts Corp. commands market share in titanium and steel castings for fighter jet installations. Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. maintains a leadership position in commercial strut fabrication for next-generation wide-body aircraft. Wicks Aircraft Supply rounds out the competitive picture by serving general aviation repair shops with a broad inventory of solid strut replacements.

To navigate the evolving market landscape, industry leaders should invest in digital engineering platforms that enable virtual testing and certification of novel strut designs, reducing time to market. Collaborative partnerships between material suppliers and OEMs will be crucial to develop hybrid composite-metal struts that balance weight savings with crashworthiness requirements. Strengthening regional manufacturing hubs through targeted capital allocation can mitigate tariff risks and shorten supply chains, particularly for critical materials like titanium alloys and high-grade stainless steel.

Operational excellence initiatives-such as integrated predictive maintenance programs and lean production techniques-can unlock significant cost advantages in both OEM and aftermarket channels. Moreover, adopting modular design principles across coil, monoleaf, and multileaf configurations will enhance serviceability and reduce inventory complexity. Strategic mergers or joint ventures with sensor technology providers can elevate product offerings by embedding real-time load monitoring and health diagnostics within strut assemblies. Lastly, developing skill-building programs focused on advanced machining, additive manufacturing, and composite layup will ensure the workforce can sustain high-mix, low-volume production demands.

The aircraft strut sector stands at the intersection of innovation imperatives and operational challenges. Technological advancements-from additive manufacturing and digital twin integration to smart materials and embedded sensors-are reshaping how struts are designed, produced, and maintained. At the same time, evolving trade policies and tariff fluctuations underscore the importance of resilient supply chains and agile procurement strategies. Detailed segmentation analysis highlights the diverse requirements across material types, design configurations, and end-use applications, while regional insights reveal varying priorities driven by fleet compositions and regulatory environments.

Competitive profiling underscores the value of partnerships that blend manufacturing prowess with digital capabilities, enabling next-generation strut solutions. By synthesizing these trends, decision-makers can capitalize on growth opportunities in composite adoption, high-performance military hardware, and aftermarket services, all while optimizing cost structures and mitigating geopolitical risks. This comprehensive understanding equips stakeholders to make informed choices about capital investment, product roadmap sequencing, and strategic alliances, ensuring that their strut portfolios remain aligned with the demands of modern aviation.

To secure a competitive advantage and drive strategic growth, reach out to Ketan Rohom, Associate Director, Sales & Marketing at 360iResearch. Engage directly to explore the full breadth of insights contained within the detailed market research report on aircraft struts and take the next step toward informed decision-making.