Pyka, a California-based start-up, has unveiled its latest creation, the Pelican Cargo, which is said to be the largest autonomous electric aircraft to date.
The aircraft boasts four electric motors that generate a total output of 100 kW, with a payload capacity of 400 pounds and a range of up to 200 miles. The Pelican Cargo is designed to cater to the needs of the agriculture industry as a cargo and crop-spraying aircraft.
Pyka’s autonomous flight control software, flight computer, batteries, electric propulsion system, and carbon fibre composite airframes are just a few of the company’s proprietary technologies that have made the Pelican Cargo possible. The aircraft has a length of 6.1 meters, a height of 2.1 meters, and a wingspan of 11.5 meters, and its cruising speed is estimated to be between 111 and 148 km/h.
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The Pelican Cargo is fitted with four electric motors mounted on the front and rear of each wing and a replaceable 50-kWh battery for energy storage. To maintain flight control, the aircraft is equipped with six processors on two separate computers, a forward-facing lidar, a downward-facing laser, and redundant measurement systems and air data booms. A satellite link enables a ground-based pilot to control the aircraft remotely.
Pyka is currently testing the Pelican Cargo at its flight test facility in Northern California, with the first commercial operation planned for the second half of 2023. The aircraft’s revolutionary design and cutting-edge technology are set to make a significant impact on the aviation industry, especially in the agriculture sector, where it has the potential to transform the way crops are sprayed and cargo is transported.
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