FRESNO, Calif. (AP) - A drone large enough to carry tanks of fertilizers and pesticides has won rare approval from federal authorities to spray crops in the United States, officials said Tuesday.
The drone, called the RMAX, is a remotely piloted helicopter that weighs 207 pounds, said Steve Markofski, a spokesman for Yamaha Corp. U.S.A., which developed the aircraft.
Smaller drones weighing a few pounds had already been approved for limited use to take pictures that help farmers identify unhealthy crops. The RMAX is the first time a drone big enough to carry a payload has been approved, Markofski said.
The drone already has been used elsewhere, including by rice farmers in Japan. The FAA approved it for the U.S. on Friday.
"I certainly understand their cautious approach," Markofski said. "It's a daunting task given our airspace is complicated."