Ion Urzica
Analyst, Energy
The Rise of Aerial Workhorses
Drones are taking off in sectors such as emergency response, agriculture, and urban mobility. There continues to be an increase in demand for electrically powered aerial systems, including eVTOL aircraft and firefighting drones, due to their high performance and versatility.
Compared to the more widely known, and smaller, consumer drones, these aerial workhorses require significantly more fluids. But lubrication, though crucial, is a silent enabler at the moment, overlooked but vital for the operation of these advanced machines.
Why Lubrication Matters in Next-Gen Flight
The unique challenges faced by next-generation aerial systems underscore the importance of specialized lubrication. Firefighting drones, for instance, operate under extreme heat, wind, and hazardous conditions.
Similarly, eVTOL aircraft, with their electrically powered and intermittent operation cycles, require specialized lubrication and cooling solutions to ensure the efficiency and longevity of bearings, motors and batteries.
Agricultural drones, tasked with carrying high payloads over long hours and variable terrain, demand lubricants that support consistent torque, atomization systems, and environmental resilience.
Understanding the commonalities and differences in lubricant types used across these platforms is essential for manufacturers aiming to optimize their existing portfolios.
Spotlight on Agricultural Drones
With over 400,000 units in operation globally, agricultural drones are a significant market segment and a sector dominated by Chinese based drone manufacturer DJI.
These drones are employed for spraying, spreading, and orchard management across various crops, including corn, coffee, canola, and sunflowers. Operating in wind speeds up to 5.4 m/s, altitudes of 2–4 meters, and droplet sizes ranging from 100–500 µm, they require lubrication that supports high-speed rotor systems, dual atomization spray mechanisms, terrain-following, and obstacle avoidance systems, as well as extended operational hours and heavy payloads.
Strategic Shift: OEM Relationships in Flux
The landscape of OEM lubricant agreements is shifting. Traditional partnerships, such as those with John Deere, are potentially going to change significantly due to the dominance of DJI in drone technology across all sectors.
This shift in the OEM landscape necessitates new partnership models, supply chain strategies, and product development approaches for lubricant suppliers seeking to engage with critical OEMs beyond DJI.
The Opportunity for Lubricant Innovators
While long-range endurance drones used in the defense industry still rely on synthetic engine oils, the future lies in electric propulsion, where autonomy, payload, and efficiency drive lubricant innovation.
Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft, such as Joby Aviation’s eVTOLs, are poised to launch services in Dubai and the UK by 2025, presenting a lucrative opportunity for lubricant innovators to lead the charge in developing solutions tailored to these cutting-edge platforms.
What Questions Should Lubricant Leaders Be Asking?
To capitalize on these opportunities, lubricant leaders must ask themselves three critical questions:
- Are we engaging with emerging OEMs like DJI to shape the future of drone lubrication standards?
- What R&D investments are necessary to support electric propulsion systems in drones and eVTOL aircraft?
- How can we position our products to meet the performance and sustainability demands of next-gen aerial platforms?
By addressing these questions and embracing the strategic shifts in the industry, lubricant manufacturers can position themselves at the forefront of innovation, driving the future of flight and ensuring their products are indispensable in the evolving aerial landscape.
