It’s big, it’s automated, and on Wednesday, it lifted off under the control of a remote pilot.
Manufacturer Rotor Technologies this week flew its R550 Sprayhawk—which it calls the largest spray drone in the world—at Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport (KAFW) during the National Agricultural Aviation Association’s (NAAA) Ag Aviation Expo in Fort Worth, Texas. FLYING was on the scene to capture the remotely piloted demonstration, part of the launch of the 2025 model Sprayhawk.
The demonstration flight included participation from the FAA, Helicopter Institute, and Hillwood, whose Alliance Air Services subsidiary manages Perot Field. Rob Lowe, regional administrator of the FAA’s Southwest Region, delivered a keynote speech at the event.
The Sprayhawk is an automated, gas-powered helicopter based on an overhauled Robinson R44 airframe, with 110 gallons of capacity. With a range of about 5 sm and flight endurance of 50 minutes, it can spray 240 acres of crops in an hour at a lower cost of operation than comparable aircraft, Rotor says. The drone has about double the R44’s usable capacity and cuts costs by more than $1.20 per acre sprayed.
The Sprayhawk can be assembled and deployed in less than 15 minutes and requires just two crew to operate: a remote pilot and visual observer. It’s equipped with five cameras, radar, and lidar to sense and dodge obstacles.
Earlier this month, Rotor partnered with Ag-Nav to equip the company’s precision navigation and flow control technology on all 2025 Sprayhawks, including onboard technology that controls the rate of spray. Ag-Nav’s navigation terminal will be installed in Rotor’s portable ground control station. Rotor users will also have access to Ag-Nav’s mission planning software, which they can utilize to design spray patterns for any type of field.
“At Ag-Nav our mission is to always innovate as well as focus on pilot safety,” the company said in a news release. “So when we heard what Rotor [was] doing, we were really excited to work with them to further improve pilot safety as well as revolutionize the aerial application industry.”
The 2025 model Sprayhawk is open for preorders in the U.S. and Brazil for delivery during the second half of next year. The massive drone has a massive price tag of $1.5 million, but introductory pricing starting at $990,000 is available through December 15.
The aircraft is delivered with a special airworthiness certificate (SAC) that will allow its operator to obtain FAA exemptions for commercial agricultural applications. To fly it, remote pilots need only complete the FAA’s Part 107 remote pilot certification and Rotor’s factory training course.
Credit: flyingmag.com
