Drone company Pyka has secured FAA authorization for commercial operation of the agricultural crop sprayer Pelican 2 in the USA
The agricultural spray aircraft, Pelican 2, which the company says is the largest unmanned drone ever approved for commercial use by the FAA is an upgraded variant of an aircraft it originally launched in 2021.
The Pelican 2, which costs from US$550,000 features an upgraded four-motor electric propulsion system, an expanded 300-liter payload capacity, upgraded spray systems, five hot-swappable lithium-ion battery sets, ensuring continuous 24/7 operation and advanced LIDAR and RADAR systems for fully autonomous day-and-night spraying, increasing efficacy and extending spray time.
Michael Norcia, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Pyka said, “We couldn’t be more excited to release Pelican 2. With nearly five years of commercial operation, this aircraft exhibits the reliability, performance, and ease of operation that growers demand.
“The features and operating economics of this aircraft will revolutionize aerial application, delivering meaningful cost-savings and spray results for growers.”
Pyka unmanned autonomous crop sprayers are already in use in North and South America with companies such agricultural companies including Dole in Honduras SLC Agricola, Brazil and Heinen Brothers Agra Services in the USA. Pyka has also recently sold 20 aircraft in Brazil.
Volker Fabian, chief commercial officer at Pyka said, “Our customers have been instrumental in shaping this product. Through extensive real-world operations, we’ve perfected Pelican’s performance to exceed growers’ expectations. Spray quality, reliability, and seamless operation are at the core of this aircraft, and no other system on the market comes close.”
Unmanned crop sprayers are becoming an early market for unmanned beyond visual line of sight drones, with several companies around the world testing and supplying systems that enhance productivity and save costs for farmers.
