Pyka unveils Pelican 2 large autonomous crop duster

Pyka, a leader in autonomous electric aviation, has unveiled its next-generation agricultural spray aircraft, Pelican 2, featuring an expanded 300L payload and a work rate of up to 90 hectares per hour.

Pyka has secured FAA authorization for commercial operation of Pelican 2 in the United States, making this the second time Pyka has gained commercial approval for its uncrewed aerial system (UAS) products. Pelican 2 is the largest UAS ever approved for commercial use by the FAA, followed only by the original Pelican, reinforcing Pyka's leadership in heavy lift commercial UAS in the U.S. and globally.

In addition to its new product line, Pyka secured an order for 20 aircraft in Brazil, solidifying its presence in one of the world's largest agricultural markets and enabling large-scale autonomous aerial application operations in Brazil.

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

Upgraded four-motor electric propulsion system for increased reliability and power

Expanded 300-L payload capacity for longer spray missions and fewer refills

Wider 18m 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, for continuous 24/7 operation

Advanced LIDAR and RADAR systems for fully autonomous day-and-night spraying, increasing efficacy and extending spray time.

"We couldn't be more excited to release Pelican 2," said Michael Norcia, co-founder and CEO at Pyka. "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."

"Our customers have been instrumental in shaping this product," said Volker Fabian, chief commercial officer at Pyka. "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."

Pyka's aircraft has already demonstrated its capabilities on a global scale. In 2023, Pyka launched successful commercial operations with Dole in Honduras, deploying Pelican to enhance efficiency and precision in banana crop protection. Building on this momentum, Pyka secured a commercial agreement in July 2024 with SLC Agrícola, one of Brazil's largest agricultural producers, to deliver Pelican for large-scale agricultural use. Shortly after, following its first FAA authorization for commercial operation in the United States, Pyka delivered its aircraft to Heinen Brothers Agra Services, one of North America's largest aerial application providers.

Pelican 2 will make its public debut at the World Ag Expo in Tulare, California, February 11-13, 2025. It has been recognized as a winner of the 2025 Top-10 New Products Award by the International Agri-Center.