Next-Gen Agricultural UAS Launched for Autonomous Crop Protection

Pyka has unveiled its next-generation autonomous agricultural spray aircraft, the Pelican 2 uncrewed aerial system (UAS).

Featuring an expanded 300-liter payload and a work rate of up to 90 hectares per hour, Pelican 2 is a highly-productive, autonomous electric agricultural aircraft.

Pyka has secured FAA authorization for commercial operation of Pelican 2 in the United States, making this the second time the company has gained commercial approval for its UAS products. 

Pelican 2 is reportedly the largest UAS ever approved for commercial use by the FAA, followed only by the original Pelican. Pyka asserts that this milestone highlights the company’s capabilities as a supplier of heavy-lift commercial UAS in the U.S. and globally.

In addition to its new product line, Pyka has secured a landmark order for 20 aircraft in Brazil. This expansion is set to enable large-scale autonomous aerial application operations in Brazil, boosting efficiency and delivering cost savings for the nation’s growers.

Since launching its first commercial autonomous spray aircraft in 2021, Pyka has refined its technology to meet the demands of challenging agricultural environments. The next-generation Pelican features: 

• Upgraded four-motor electric propulsion system for increased reliability and power
• Expanded 300-liter payload capacity for longer spray missions and fewer refills
• Wider 18-meter swath width, supporting multiple spray boom configurations, including hydraulic nozzles and proprietary electric rotary atomizers
• Dynamic droplet size adjustment to optimize chemical use and minimize drift
• Five hot-swappable lithium-ion battery sets, ensuring continuous 24/7 operation
• Advanced LIDAR and RADAR systems for fully autonomous day-and-night spraying, increasing efficacy and extending spray time. 

Pyka’s aircraft previously secured a commercial agreement in July 2024 with SLC Agrícola to deliver Pelican for large-scale agricultural use. Following its first FAA authorization for commercial operation in the United States, Pyka then delivered its aircraft to Heinen Brothers Agra Services, one of North America’s largest aerial application providers.

Michael Norcia, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Pyka, commented, “We couldn’t be more excited to release Pelican 2. With nearly 5 years of commercial operation under our belt, this aircraft exhibits the reliability, performance, and ease of operation that growers demand. I have no doubt that the features and operating economics of this aircraft will revolutionize aerial application, delivering meaningful cost-savings and spray results for growers.”

Volker Fabian, Chief Commercial Officer at Pyka, added, “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.”