Pyka
Pyka Pelican 2
The Pyka Pelican 2 is a US-manufactured fixed-wing autonomous crop sprayer carrying 80 gallons with a 65-foot swath, covering up to 260 acres per hour at 60 to 70 knots. Starting at $550,000, it targets large commercial applicators replacing manned aircraft. NDAA compliant, manufactured in Alameda, California. Requires a 250-meter runway.
The Pyka Pelican 2 is a fixed-wing autonomous aircraft, not a multirotor drone, that targets manned crop duster replacement at commercial scale. Unveiled February 10, 2025 with FAA authorization, the Pelican 2 carries 300 liters (80 gallons) with a 20-meter (65-foot) swath width and cruises at 60 to 70 knots, covering up to 260 acres per hour. MTOW is 635 kg (1,400 lbs) with an empty weight of 335 kg (740 lbs) including battery. The 90 kWh lithium-ion battery system (five sets of three packs) charges in approximately 2 hours per set. A 250-meter runway is required for takeoff and landing. At $550,000 starting price, the Pelican 2 is positioned for large commercial aerial applicators and farm cooperatives, not individual operators. NDAA compliant, manufactured in Alameda, California. Digital flow control provides precise application rates, and the autonomous flight system eliminates pilot exposure to chemicals. Delivered to Heinen Brothers Agra Services as a launch customer.
Best for
Large commercial aerial applicators replacing manned crop dusters, farm cooperatives, operations treating 5,000+ acres per season
Full technical specifications
Official resources
Frequently asked questions
It is classified as a fixed-wing unmanned aircraft. It requires a 250-meter runway, flies at 60 to 70 knots, and operates autonomously without a human pilot on board. Regulatory classification and certification requirements differ from multirotor drones and are handled through FAA advanced operations pathways.
Large commercial aerial application businesses that currently operate manned crop dusters and want to reduce pilot risk, chemical exposure, and per-hour operating cost. At $550,000, the economics only work at 5,000+ acres per season. Individual farm operators should look at multirotor drones in the $18,000 to $75,000 range.
At 260 acres per hour, the Pelican 2 approaches manned fixed-wing throughput (typically 300 to 800 acres per hour depending on aircraft). The autonomous system eliminates pilot fatigue, chemical exposure, and crew scheduling constraints, allowing longer daily operating windows.
The current configuration is liquid-only with a 300-liter (80 gallon) tank. No granular spreading capability is listed. For cover crop seeding, multirotor drones with dry hoppers (DJI T50, Hylio AG-272) remain the standard platform.
Yes. Manufactured in Alameda, California by Pyka, the Pelican 2 is fully US-made and NDAA compliant. This makes it eligible for federal, state, and NDAA-restricted contracts without the compliance concerns that apply to DJI and XAG products.
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