Rotor Technologies, a New Hampshire-based US startup that develops unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), has announced the launch of the world’s two largest commercial drones.
The drones, named Airtruck and Sprayhawk, are both based on the Robinson R44 helicopter model, which has been adapted to remotely perform various tasks, such as lifting loads or spraying fields.
Airtruck is a general-purpose drone that can carry up to 1,000 pounds of cargo, while Sprayhawk is designed as an agricultural UAV and carries a 110-gallon tank for spraying agricultural products.
Rotor Technologies, which is working with helicopter manufacturer Robinson to develop the two drones, plans to build about 25 of the two models (15 Sprayhawks and 10 Airtrucks) annually at its factory in New Hampshire.
In a press release announcing the launch, Hector Xu, CEO of Rotor Technologies, emphasized that the startup plans to bring large commercial drone production back to the United States.
The company has already built the first Sprayhawk series and the aircraft is currently undergoing ground testing before being delivered to a customer in the US Midwest.
Rotor Technologies also announced that it has started accepting orders for deliveries starting in late 2025 from customers in the US and Brazil. Early buyers who order before December 15, 2024 will benefit from some special pricing ($850,000 for the Airtruck and $990,000 for the Sprayhawk).