Rotor Applied sciences showcased the way forward for aerial agriculture with a flight of its Sprayhawk, the world’s largest and most superior agricultural UAV, at Perot Area Alliance Airport in Fort Value, Texas. The unique occasion, held in partnership with Hillwood and the Helicopter Institute, drew greater than 200 aviation {industry} leaders who witnessed the historic flight and celebrated pivotal firm bulletins.
A stay flight check of the Sprayhawk kicked off the occasion. Piloted from a floor management station by Rotor Chief Pilot Joao Magioni, the unmanned plane carried out a full startup process, hovered in entrance of the viewers, made turning maneuvers, demonstrated its onboard spray system, and descended to land after roughly 5 minutes within the air.
Following the flight, Rotor CEO Hector Xu offered an outline of Rotor’s progress previously 12 months, notably highlighting the announcement of the Sprayhawk in August 2024, the big {industry} curiosity for the platform, and the start of deliveries anticipated in 2025.
Rotor introduced a brand new retrofit bundle accessible to current operators of all fashions of Robinson R44 plane. Beforehand, solely new-build Sprayhawks had been accessible for pre-order, with the Robinson R44 Raven II because the default platform. The introduction of a retrofit possibility opens autonomous flight to a bigger variety of operators and to the present fleet of greater than 6,000 Robinson R44s in service at present.
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Xu confirmed the MSRP for 2025 fashions and the estimated supply dates. Early adopter pricing shall be accessible till December 15, 2024. He additionally highlighted the significance of a strategic partnership with AG-NAV, Inc., to carry industry-leading precision agricultural navigation to the Sprayhawk.
“The Sprayhawk launch marks a pivotal second for each Rotor and the agricultural sector. With Sprayhawk, we’re bringing a brand new customary in agricultural UAVs, merging giant payload capability with cutting-edge autonomy to help security, precision agriculture, and sustainability,” mentioned Xu.
Occasion attendees additionally heard from President of the Helicopter Institute Randy Rowles who addressed the importance of this technological development throughout the regulatory panorama and the {industry}’s push towards safer and extra environment friendly aerial utility.
“Helicopter Institute was proud to be part of the Sprayhawk launch occasion on the Alliance Airport in Fort Value, Texas,” mentioned Rowles. “It was humbling to share the stage to precise our perception within the significance of this technological development in agriculture spraying because the {industry} advances towards safer, extra environment friendly aerial utility. Particular because of Hector and the whole Rotor crew for his or her excellent demonstration, in addition to Chris Ash, the Hillwood group, and the native FAA FSDO employees for his or her help.”
Christopher Ash, Senior Vice President of Aviation Enterprise Improvement for Hillwood added, “Internet hosting this occasion throughout the AllianceTexas Mobility Innovation Zone, highlights our dedication to fostering innovation and supporting corporations which might be on the forefront of next-generation mobility options. We’re proud to collaborate with Rotor Applied sciences as they paved the way in revolutionizing aerial agriculture.”
After the flight, visitors explored the Sprayhawk up shut and interacted with Rotor’s Floor Management Station. The occasion concluded with networking, permitting attendees to attach with Rotor’s new VP of Commercialization Andy Mearns and flight group.
The Sprayhawk manufacturing prototype that was flown in the course of the occasion was the primary of two which have been accomplished and are present process flight testing forward of joint operations with a choose variety of operators throughout the U.S. who’re collaborating in Rotor’s Joint Improvement Program.
Rotor wish to thank its companions at Hillwood, Helicopter Institute, and FAA for making this occasion and flight potential.
