Rotor Technologies has announced two new unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for the 2025 model year: Airtruck, a utility UAV with 1,000+ lbs of payload (formerly known as the R550X), and Sprayhawk, an agricultural UAV with 110-gallon capacity. Both aircraft have an introductory pricing of less than US$1 million.
Both are based on the Robinson R44 and have a maximum takeoff weight of 2,500 lbs each, making them the largest civilian drones available for purchase in the world. Rotor Technologies and Robinson have collaborated on development and certification; the two companies displayed a static pre-production prototype of the Airtruck at HeliExpo earlier this year.
The first Sprayhawk production aircraft has been completed and is undergoing ground testing ahead of delivery to an agricultural partner in the US Midwest later this year. The first batch of Sprayhawks is due to be delivered to early customers in the spring of next year and are expected to begin commercial spraying operations in the 2025 corn run.
Rotor Technologies is opening up orders to customers in the US and Brazil for the 2025 production run of Airtrucks and Sprayhawks. Delivery slots are still available for late 2025 and early 2026. The 2025 production run will be for 15 Sprayhawks and 10 Airtrucks.
Rotor Technologies’ Chief Commercial Officer Ben Frank emphasised the market impact of Airtruck and Sprayhawk in response to the increasing use of UAVs in critical industrial applications. “We think that the Sprayhawk and Airtruck are the right path forward for US farmers, aerial applicators, and the construction and logistics industries,” said Frank. “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, and our new slogan, ‘Big Drones for Tough Jobs,’ will show the world that we mean business.”
“With the unveiling of the Airtruck and Sprayhawk, we’re excited to bring drone manufacturing back to the United States – by being bigger, bolder, and more innovative than our global competition,” added Rotor Technologies CEO Hector Xu. “These two aircraft bear unprecedented capability that will be transformative for drone operators, who for many years have wanted longer flight times and larger payloads.”
For orders placed before 15 December 2024, introductory pricing is $850,000 for the Airtruck and $990,000 for the Sprayhawk.
Photo: Rotor Technologies
