Pyka Unveils Pelican 2, Its Next-Gen Autonomous Agricultural Aircraft

Key Takeaways

• Pelican 2 features a 300-liter payload and a 90-hectare per hour work rate, making it the largest autonomous electric agricultural aircraft.
• FAA approval secured for commercial operation in the U.S., marking Pyka’s second major authorization for its uncrewed aerial systems.
• Landmark order of 20 aircraft in Brazil, reinforcing Pyka’s presence in a major global agricultural market.
• Advanced features include a four-motor electric propulsion system, dynamic droplet size adjustment, and fully autonomous day-and-night spraying capabilities.
• Pelican 2 to debut at the 2025 World Ag Expo, recognized as a Top-10 New Product Award winner.

Enhanced Efficiency in Autonomous Crop Protection

Pyka, a leader in autonomous electric aviation, has introduced Pelican 2, its next-generation electric agricultural spray aircraft. With an expanded 300-liter payload and the ability to cover 90 hectares per hour, Pelican 2 is designed to optimize efficiency and cost savings for growers worldwide.

Pyka has secured FAA approval for commercial operation of Pelican 2 in the United States, making it the largest UAS (uncrewed aerial system) ever authorized for commercial use. The milestone highlights Pyka’s leadership in heavy-lift commercial drone technology.

“With nearly five years of commercial operation behind us, Pelican 2 delivers the reliability, performance, and ease of operation that growers demand,” said Michael Norcia, Co-Founder and CEO at Pyka. “We believe this aircraft will redefine aerial application by lowering costs and enhancing spray efficiency.”

Key Features of Pelican 2

Pelican 2 builds on Pyka’s earlier designs with upgraded performance and technology to meet the challenges of modern agricultural environments. Key features include:

• Four-motor electric propulsion system for greater reliability and power.
• Expanded 300-liter spray payload, reducing the need for frequent refills.
• 18-meter swath width with flexible spray boom configurations, including hydraulic nozzles and electric rotary atomizers.
• Dynamic droplet size adjustment for optimized chemical application and minimal drift.
• Hot-swappable lithium-ion batteries, enabling continuous 24/7 operation.
• Advanced LIDAR and RADAR systems for fully autonomous day-and-night spraying.

“Our customers have been instrumental in shaping this product,” said Volker Fabian, Chief Commercial Officer at Pyka. “Through real-world operations, we’ve refined Pelican’s performance to exceed growers’ expectations. No other system on the market comes close in spray quality, reliability, and ease of operation.”

Pelican 2 is now available for purchase starting at $550,000 USD.

Expanding Global Reach

Pyka has established a growing presence in global agriculture, with operations in Honduras, Brazil, and the United States.

• In 2023, Pyka launched commercial operations with Dole in Honduras, deploying Pelican for banana crop protection.
• In 2024, Pyka secured an agreement with SLC Agrícola, one of Brazil’s largest agricultural producers, for large-scale deployment of its technology.
• In the U.S., Pyka’s aircraft is now used by Heinen Brothers Agra Services, one of North America’s largest aerial application providers.

With global food demand increasing, Pyka aims to advance autonomous aerial application by delivering improved efficiency, cost savings, and sustainability to growers worldwide.

Pelican 2 Debuts at World Ag Expo

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