Pyka

Pyka is an electric aviation technology company that designs and manufactures large-scale autonomous electric aircraft. The company's flagship products include the Pelican Spray and Pelican Cargo, both of which are fully autonomous and 100% electric. The Pelican Spray is designed for agricultural crop protection and can carry up to 540 lbs (70 gallons) of liquid, spraying up to 240 acres per hour, while Pelican Cargo can transport up to 400 lbs over a range of 200 miles. Both aircraft feature Pyka's proprietary autonomous flight control software, high-energy-density batteries, and electric propulsion systems.

The company's technology allows for super-short takeoff and landing (SSTOL) capabilities, with the Pelican Cargo requiring just 820 feet of runway on various surfaces including gravel, dirt, grass, or pavement.  

Key customers and partnerships

Pyka has established partnerships and secured customers across various sectors in Europe and North America. In October 2023, Pyka partnered with Skyports Drone Services to launch heavy payload drone operations for the Royal Navy. The company went on to partner with Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) in May 2024 to offer a modified version of the Pelican Cargo, called RUMRUNNER, to the US Department of Defense.