Drone Updates: Exploring the Polar Region with Inspire 3, Introducing Three Agricultural Drones by DJI, and Additional Developments in the Sphere!
In a significant development for the agricultural industry, DJI has launched three new drones this week, expanding their flagship Agras series to 13 drones. The new additions to the lineup are the DJI Agras T100, T70P, and T25P.
The DJI Agras T100: Flagship Model with Advanced Capabilities
The DJI Agras T100, the flagship model, stands out with its advanced features and specifications. With a 100-liter liquid spray tank and a 150-liter spread tank (equivalent to 40 and 26 gallons US conversions, respectively), the T100 boasts a significant spraying and spreading capacity.
The drone can lift up to 220 pounds (about 100 kg) of cargo, making it suitable for various spraying, spreading, and new lifting applications. Its flight performance is impressive, with speeds reaching 44 mph, and a takeoff weight of around 330 lbs.
The T100's spraying system features dual and quad nozzle systems, allowing flow rates up to 10.5 gallons per minute, with optional mist nozzles for specialty crops. For safety and navigation, the drone is equipped with 360° obstacle avoidance enabled by a combination of 5-eye vision systems, phased array radar, and LiDAR (LAR), with an expanded horizontal radar sensing range of 60 meters.
Additional features of the T100 include a new auger feed system to ensure clog-free spreading, fast nine-minute battery charging, real-time augmented reality (AR) flight guidance, and smart cargo drop systems.
The T70P and T25P: Versatile and Efficient Options
The T70P and T25P models complement the T100 by offering lighter and more versatile spray drone options. Despite their lighter weights, they are built upon DJI Agriculture's 12+ years of R&D, designed to improve efficiency, safety, and multi-application support including spraying, spreading, and now lifting.
A Continued Emphasis on Precision Farming Innovation
These new drones continue DJI’s emphasis on precision farming innovation. Currently, DJI supports nearly 500,000 trained operators worldwide and is used for over 300 crop types in 100 countries.
A Shift in Aerial Security and Military Drone Development
Meanwhile, in the realm of national security, the Secret Service has overhauled its approach to aerial security following last year's assassination attempt on (at the time) former President Trump. The Secret Service has rolled out a fleet of military-grade drones and established mobile command posts nationwide.
The Pentagon's goal is to field thousands of low-cost drones integrated into every aspect of military training by 2027. Military drone combat simulations will be required across all branches starting next year, as part of a directive signed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Small drones are now treated as consumables, not traditional military assets, under the new directive signed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The aim is to outpace adversaries like Russia and China in drone technology.
Drone Innovations in Other Fields
In other news, filmmaker Denis Barbas released a cinematic journey to the Arctic earlier this year, using the DJI Inspire 3 to capture 8K RAW footage over a month-long expedition. The footage showcases the DJI Inspire 3's dynamic range and ability to capture fine details, even in low winter light.
A new drone delivery startup, DEXA, has secured all three crucial FAA approvals: airworthiness certification for its aircraft, a Part 135 air carrier certificate, and a national BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) waiver. DEXA is among the very few U.S. companies legally cleared for large-scale drone delivery.
The three new DJI agriculture drones (Agras T100, T70P, and T25P) have launched globally, but it's not clear if they will be available for sale in the U.S. However, DJI's latest agriculture drone lineup aims to boost operational efficiency for precision agriculture and help farmers implement automation.
- The DJI Agras T100, the flagship model in DJI's new agricultural drone lineup, showcases advanced capabilities with a 100-liter liquid spray tank and a 150-liter spread tank.
- The T100 can lift up to 220 pounds (about 100 kg) of cargo and reaches speeds of 44 mph, making it suitable for various spraying, spreading, and lifting applications.
- For safety and navigation, the T100 is equipped with a combination of 5-eye vision systems, phased array radar, and LiDAR (LAR), enabling 360° obstacle avoidance with an expanded horizontal radar sensing range of 60 meters.
- DJI's new T70P and T25P models complement the T100 by offering lighter, versatile options, designed to improve efficiency, safety, and multi-application support.
- In the realm of national security, the Secret Service has overhauled its aerial security approach with a fleet of military-grade drones and mobile command posts, following last year's assassination attempt on former President Trump.
- The Pentagon aims to outpace adversaries like Russia and China in drone technology by fielding thousands of low-cost drones integrated into every aspect of military training by 2027, treating small drones as consumables rather than traditional military assets.
