Russia develops first heavy duty cargo drone with capacity of 1,322 lbs take-off weight for agricultural purposes

By Christina Kitova

Last month, Russian drone company Braeron announced the imminent start of sales in July of the Braeron unmanned aerial vehicle. The company specializes in industrial drones.  The manufacturer sent applications to obtain registration of the drone in Russia.

It is expected that approval will take up to a month, which in case of a positive decision from the Federal Air Transport Agency may become the first officially registered heavy UAV in the Russian Federation. To note, the application was submitted last month.

The developers are aimed at the agro-industrial and transport and logistics industries: it is planned that the drones will transport cargo, irrigate fields and even extinguish fires. The goal of the Braeron team is to introduce the use of unmanned technologies in areas where there are still high risks of threats to human life and the environment.

In many hard-to-reach regions around the world, where the pilot’s job is fraught with danger, people may soon be replaced by drones. The drones would be exceptional for use during wild fires and other large scale catastrophe events. This is not the first drone that has been registered in Russia.

However, all predecessors can only carry light loads. In May, drone food delivery was launched in Russia in a small segment to start.  The drone is capable of carrying a 2.5 lbs box with food.

Additionally, there was an announcement of the flying squirrel drone in May. The new drone can also be used in search and rescue operations, can provide communication and broadcast mass events, and has improved maneuverability that allows you to use the “flying squirrel” in bad weather.

However, a majority of these drones can only handle small loads, Hence, Braeron decided to design a drone for the heavy loads. The maximum take-off weight of the Braeron drone is 1,322 lbs for agricultural purposes, and 1,410 lbs for logistics purposes. It can stay in the air for up to 2.5 hours and accelerate up to 43 miles per hour.

Unlike its small-sized counterparts, this drone can fly in remote regions at any time of the day and a wide range of weather conditions. The goal of the developer to have the drones used in the multitude of areas and segments. This would include from humanitarian aid delivery to fighting wild fires. It could be utilized anywhere there is a need to access remote locations without risking human life.

It will also be able to withstand bad weather conditions. For example, after a hurricane, it could easily deliver needed emergency supplies almost immediately. It is also safer for the environment.

It could be a very good tool in the conflict zones to even drop weapons, to help people in the situation. The applications can be far reaching. As our world evolves with new technology to have minimal impact on humans, it is still in the beginning stages of such use.