The world’s largest agriculture drone can now hit U.S. fields

Agriculture drones are commonplace on a lot of U.S. farms today, but now, the world’s largest has been approved for use over U.S. fields.

The Pelican-2 aircraft was designed and built by Pyka, a robotics company.

It is the largest autonomous aircraft approved by the FAA for commercial use, and it has an 80-gallon payload, covering 222 acres per hour.

Pyka teamed up with several other ag companies to distribute the drone. Company leaders say deliveries are set to go out over the coming months.

Related Stories
A new proposal from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) could transform how farmers use drones, allowing commercial operators to fly beyond their visual line of sight.
The FAA’s proposed rule to allow drones to operate beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) could soon revolutionize how farmers and ranchers manage their land.
Farm legal and taxation expert Roger McEowen discusses the rise of drone technology in agriculture and how the ”plain view” doctrine could inform future regulatory law and insurance inspections of farmland.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Fewer cattle on feed suggest smaller slaughter numbers this winter, which could support strong prices if beef demand holds firm.
Dairy farmers are expected to face strong output and export gains, but lower prices and tighter margins will persist into next year.
With the latest detection just across the border, animal health officials on both sides are intensifying efforts to contain the outbreak before it spreads further north.
Producers and processors should watch trade policy closely as tariff impacts ripple through seafood markets.
While symbolic, the WTO’s youth hackathon reflects growing calls for creative approaches to food trade and security, with potential implications for reducing losses, expanding biofuel markets, and stabilizing grain flows.
Chad Collin, founder of The Quack Pack USA, joined us on Friday’s Market Day Report to share his expertise in training Border Collies to serve as indispensable farm and ranch dogs.
Agriculture Shows
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.
From soil to harvest. Top Crop is an all-new series about four of the best farmers in the world—Dan Luepkes, of Oregan, Illinois; Cory Atley, of Cedarville, Ohio; Shelby Fite, of Jackson Center, Ohio; Russell Hedrick, of Hickory, North Carolina—reveals what it takes for them to make a profitable crop. It all starts with good soil, patience, and a strong planter setup.
Champions of Rural America is a half-hour dive into the legislative priorities for Rural America. Join us as we interview members of the Congressional Western Caucus to learn about efforts in Washington to preserve agriculture and tackles the most important topics in the ag industry on Champions of Rural America!
Featuring members of Congress, federal and state officials, ag and food leaders, farmers, and roundtable panelists for debates and discussions.