Pyka, a pacesetter in autonomous electrical aviation, has unveiled its next-generation agricultural spray plane, Pelican 2. That includes an expanded 300-liter payload and a piece price of as much as 90 hectares per hour, Pelican 2 is the world’s largest and most efficient autonomous electrical agricultural plane.
Pyka has secured FAA authorization for industrial operation of Pelican 2 in the USA, making this the second time Pyka has gained a groundbreaking industrial approval for its uncrewed aerial system (UAS) merchandise. Pelican 2 is the most important UAS ever authorised for industrial use by the FAA, adopted solely by the unique Pelican. This milestone reinforces Pyka’s management in heavy carry industrial UAS within the U.S. and globally.
Along with its new product line, Pyka has secured a landmark order for 20 plane in Brazil, additional solidifying its presence in one of many world’s largest agricultural markets. This growth will allow large-scale autonomous aerial utility operations in Brazil, boosting effectivity and delivering unprecedented price financial savings for the nation’s growers.
Since launching its first industrial autonomous spray plane in 2021, Pyka has repeatedly refined its expertise to fulfill the calls for of the world’s most difficult agricultural environments. The subsequent-generation Pelican units a brand new benchmark for effectivity and efficiency in aerial utility with:
- Upgraded four-motor electrical propulsion system for elevated reliability and energy
- Expanded 300-liter payload capability for longer spray missions and fewer refills
- Wider 18-meter swath width, supporting a number of spray growth configurations, together with hydraulic nozzles and proprietary electrical rotary atomizers
- Dynamic droplet measurement adjustment to optimize chemical use and decrease drift
- 5 hot-swappable lithium-ion battery units, guaranteeing steady 24/7 operation
- Superior LIDAR and RADAR techniques for totally autonomous day-and-night spraying, rising efficacy and increasing spray time.
With FAA approval secured, the next-generation Pelican is accessible to buy from Pyka at a beginning value of USD 550,000.
“We couldn’t be extra excited to launch Pelican 2,” mentioned Michael Norcia, Co-Founder and Chief Govt Officer at Pyka. “With practically 5 years of business operation below our belt, this plane reveals the reliability, efficiency, and ease of operation that growers demand. I’ve little doubt that the options and working economics of this plane will revolutionize aerial utility, delivering significant cost-savings and spray outcomes for growers.”
“Our clients have been instrumental in shaping this product,” mentioned Volker Fabian, Chief Industrial Officer at Pyka. “By way of intensive real-world operations, we’ve perfected Pelican’s efficiency to exceed growers’ expectations. Spray high quality, reliability, and seamless operation are on the core of this plane, and no different system available on the market comes shut.”
Increasing International Attain
Pyka’s plane has already demonstrated its capabilities on a world scale. In 2023, Pyka launched profitable industrial operations with Dole in Honduras, deploying Pelican to reinforce effectivity and precision in banana crop safety. Constructing on this momentum, Pyka secured a landmark industrial settlement in July 2024 with SLC Agrícola, one in all Brazil’s largest agricultural producers, to ship Pelican for large-scale agricultural use. Shortly after, following its first FAA authorization for industrial operation in the USA, Pyka delivered its plane to Heinen Brothers Agra Providers, one in all North America’s largest aerial utility suppliers.
With international meals demand rising, Pyka is poised to rework autonomous aerial utility, delivering unprecedented effectivity, price financial savings, and sustainability to farmers worldwide.
Public Debut at World Ag Expo
Pelican 2 will make its public debut on the World Ag Expo in Tulare, California, from February 11-13, 2025. It has been acknowledged as a winner of the 2025 High-10 New Merchandise Award by the Worldwide Agri-Heart.
