The Transformation of the Global Drone Ecosystem: A Systematic Assessment of Autonomy, Artificial Intelligence and Market Strategies

Abstract

This study examines the historical development, technical classification, social and economic impacts, global market structure, and military-strategic applications of drone technology from a multidimensional perspective. Conducted using a systematic literature review method, the research covers approximately 70 sources from different disciplines, including engineering, sociology, political economy, security studies, and international market analysis. The findings show that drone technology has evolved from early balloon-based applications in the 19th century to today's artificial intelligence-supported platforms with high autonomy. Technical classification reveals the relationship between fixed-wing, rotary-wing and hybrid designs and energy sources, range, size and mission profiles. Social and economic analyses show that drones have strengthened the data economy, transformed the labour force structure and reshaped spatial order. A global market review points to a rapidly growing ecosystem led by the US, Israel and China, which is expected to expand further with AI-based applications. In the military segment, autonomy, swarm systems and advanced sensor technologies are shaping the operational superiority domains of the future. The study reveals that drone technology is a critical area of transformation from technical, economic, and strategic perspectives, providing a comprehensive framework for interdisciplinary research.

Keywords

• Autonomous Systems
• Flying Eye Ecosystem
• Market Strategies

Küresel Uçangöz Ekosisteminin Dönüşümü: Otonomi, Yapay Zekâ ve Pazar Stratejileri Üzerine Sistematik Bir Değerlendirme

Öz

Bu çalışma, uçangöz (drone) teknolojisinin tarihsel gelişimi, teknik sınıflandırması, toplumsal ve ekonomik etkileri, küresel pazar yapısı ve askerî-stratejik kullanım alanlarını çok boyutlu bir perspektifle incelemektedir. Sistematik literatür taraması yöntemiyle yürütülen araştırma, mühendislik, sosyoloji, ekonomi-politik, güvenlik çalışmaları ve uluslararası pazar analizleri gibi farklı disiplinlere ait yaklaşık 70 kaynağı kapsamaktadır. Bulgular, uçangöz teknolojisinin 19. yüzyıldaki balon temelli erken uygulamalardan günümüzün yapay zekâ destekli yüksek otonomiye sahip platformlarına evrildiğini göstermektedir. Teknik sınıflandırma, sabit kanatlı, döner kanatlı ve hibrit tasarımlar ile enerji kaynağı, menzil, boyut ve görev profilleri arasındaki ilişkiyi ortaya koymaktadır. Toplumsal ve ekonomik analizler, uçangözlerin veri ekonomisini güçlendirdiğini, işgücü yapısını dönüştürdüğünü ve mekânsal düzeni yeniden şekillendirdiğini göstermektedir. Küresel pazar incelemesi, ABD, İsrail ve Çin’in liderliğinde hızla büyüyen ve yapay zekâ tabanlı uygulamalarla daha da genişlemesi beklenen bir ekosistemi işaret etmektedir. Askerî segmentte ise otonomi, sürü sistemleri ve gelişmiş sensör teknolojileri geleceğin operasyonel üstünlük alanlarını oluşturmaktadır. Çalışma, uçangöz teknolojisinin teknik, ekonomik ve stratejik açılardan kritik bir dönüşüm alanı olduğunu ortaya koyarak disiplinlerarası araştırmalar için bütüncül bir çerçeve sunmaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Otonom Sistemler
• Uçangöz Ekosistemi
• Pazar Stratejileri

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