Massachusetts-based company becomes the first eVTOL manufacturer to commence commercial operations, marking a significant milestone in sustainable farming and eVTOL technology.
Guardian Agriculture, a Massachusetts-based company specializing in electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) systems for sustainable farming, announces that they are the first eVTOL manufacturer to commence commercial operations. The company has recently deployed four of its aviation-grade eVTOL aircraft for crop spraying in California’s Salinas Valley.
The eVTOLs developed by Guardian offer a more efficient, sustainable, and safe alternative to traditional crop-dusting methods or ground-based equipment. These systems are fully programmable, repeatable, and easy to operate, capable of covering up to 60 acres per hour, carrying a 200lb payload, and boasting a combined tank fill and supercharge time of less than 1 minute.
Guardian is making its mark in a global commercial agriculture sector valued at $65 billion annually. “This is a significant milestone for sustainable farming and a major advancement for eVTOL technology,” stated Adam Bercu, Founder and CEO of Guardian. He added, “We are the only company that has secured FAA approval for commercial operations nationwide and has actually started flying missions for paying customers.”
In March 2023, Guardian received approval from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to operate its aircraft nationwide, becoming the first commercially authorized eVTOL in the U.S. Guardian is also part of the FAA’s Integration Partnership Agreement, which provides advice on incorporating eVTOLs into the National Airspace System.
Guardian’s eVTOL platform, which has already received more than $100 million in customer orders, is the only autonomous, electric, aerial crop protection system designed specifically for large-scale agriculture. Unlike other unmanned autonomous systems, Guardian designs and manufactures its system entirely within the U.S., supporting U.S. competitiveness, jobs, and national security.
Established in 2017, Guardian has offices in Massachusetts and California and has raised over $20 million in funding. The leadership team comprises engineering, autonomy, and manufacturing leaders who have previously held senior positions at companies like Apple, BAE, Sikorsky, Righthand Robotics, Tesla, and Uber.
Read more:
- DJI Celebrates World Food Day and the Contributions of Drones in Agriculture with Stunning Firefly Light Show
- The Heaviest UAS Ever Has Received FAA Authorization for Commercial Use: Pyka Crop Spraying Drone
- Drones in Agriculture: Part 137 and Leveraging Spraying Drones
Miriam McNabb
Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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