Rotor Technologies, a U.S.-based innovator in agricultural aviation, has made headlines with the introduction of the Sprayhawk, the largest agricultural unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) currently available for order. With an impressive 110-gallon (416.3 litres) capacity, the Sprayhawk is poised to revolutionize the field of agricultural spraying. The initial batch of these groundbreaking UAVs is set for delivery in the spring of 2025.
The first production Sprayhawk has been completed and is now undergoing rigorous ground tests. This unit will be delivered to an agricultural partner in the U.S. Midwest later this year, marking the beginning of a new era in aerial crop management. The initial production run will focus on early-access partners, who are expected to start commercial spraying with the Sprayhawk during the 2025 corn season.
Headquartered in Nashua, New Hampshire, Rotor Technologies is now opening up orders for the 2025 model Sprayhawk to customers in both the U.S. and Brazil. Delivery slots are available for late 2025 and early 2026, with the first production run limited to just 15 units. For those who place their orders before December 15, the introductory price is set at $990,000.
The Sprayhawk is designed to take off and land vertically and can be operated by a ground crew of just two people. This operational simplicity is a significant advancement over traditional manned aircraft, which require larger crews and more complex logistics. Ben Frank, Rotor’s Chief Commercial Officer, emphasized the importance of this innovation. “Many of the drones on the market today are unlikely to stand the test of time. The need for larger and more reliable aircraft is clear,” he stated.
The Sprayhawk is engineered to cover over 240 acres (97.2 hectares) per hour, featuring a Lycoming 6-cylinder aviation engine that can achieve spraying speeds of over 80 miles per hour (130 km/h). With a flight duration of 50 minutes between refuels, the Sprayhawk matches the performance of manned aircraft in terms of spraying speed and capacity. However, it offers the added benefits of significantly reduced operating costs and enhanced safety.
Based on the Robinson R44 helicopter, the Sprayhawk is equipped with a 120-gallon (454 litres) spray tank, 33-foot (10-metre) spray booms, and advanced autonomous spray path and terrain-following algorithms. It also features camera and LIDAR sensors for obstacle detection and wire avoidance, making it a highly sophisticated piece of machinery.
Rotor CEO Hector Xu highlighted the Sprayhawk’s unique position in the market. “The Sprayhawk merges the capabilities of a full-scale helicopter with the cost-effectiveness and safety of a drone. There’s nothing else on the market that’s as productive, reliable, and future-proof as this.”
Previously, the largest spraying drone available for order was the Brazilian VTol Agrobee 200, which could carry up to 200 kg of pesticides. With the introduction of the Sprayhawk, Rotor Technologies has set a new benchmark in the agricultural UAV industry.
The implications of this development are profound. The Sprayhawk’s ability to cover large areas quickly and efficiently could significantly enhance crop management practices, reduce labor costs, and improve safety for operators. As the agricultural sector continues to face challenges such as labor shortages and the need for increased efficiency, innovations like the Sprayhawk could play a crucial role in meeting these demands.
As Rotor Technologies gears up for the first deliveries of the Sprayhawk, the agricultural community eagerly anticipates the impact this advanced UAV will have on farming practices. With its blend of cutting-edge technology and practical application, the Sprayhawk represents a significant leap forward in the realm of agricultural aviation.