John Deere and Volocopter have introduced a new jointly-developed agricultural unmanned aerial vehicle.
The VoloDrone UAV is equipped with a John Deere crop protection sprayer, and the companies are now anticipating the first field flight of the aircraft to transition the development of the concept into a commercial product.
The UAV has a potential payload of 200kg, and the companies says that the VoloDrone is able to cover large areas, particularly under difficult operating conditions.
The VoloDrone is powered by 18 rotors with an overall diameter of 9.2m, and features a fully-electric drive using exchangeable lithium-ion batteries.
One battery charge allows a flight time of up to 30min, and the VoloDrone can be operated remotely or automatically on a pre-programmed route.
The aircraft’s frame is fitted with a flexible standardised payload attachment system, which means that different devices can be mounted onto it depending on the application.
For crop protection, it is equipped with two capacity tanks, a pump, and a spray bar, and flexibility and GPS control means that more selective area-specific treatments can be carried out.
VoloDrone has a low flight altitude, and the companies note that it is a sustainable, precise, and cost-effective alternative to helicopters, with the potential to be used over difficult topography, offering efficiencies in the use of crop protection agents, sowing seeds and frost control.
As the dynamics of aerial combat rapidly evolve, Chinese scientists have engineered a sophisticated air separation drone model that can fragment into up to six drones, each capable of executing distinct battlefield roles and challenging the efficacy of current anti-drone defences such as the UK’s Dragonfire laser system.
Advancements in air defence technologies have begun to reshape aerial combat dynamics in the Middle East, as illustrated by recent events involving the Israeli Air Force and Hezbollah.
Both sides of the Russia-Ukraine war have been using UAS for effective low-cost attacks, as well as impactful web and social media footage. Thousands more have now been committed to Ukrainian forces.
The US Army has intentions to develop light, medium and heavy variants of the Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) as part of the branche’s Next Generation Combat Vehicle family.
DroneSentry-X, a cross-vehicle compatible, automated 360° C-UAS detect and defeat device, can offer 360° awareness and protection using integrated sensors. According to its manufacturer, it is suitable for mobile operations, on-site surveillance and on-the-move missions.
Funded by the country’s former president, the new C-UAS systems will be sent to the frontline where they have already been tested against Russian invading forces.
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