Drone Updates: Soaring to the Arctic with Inspire 3, Launch of Three Agriculture Drones by DJI, and Additional Exciting Developments!
In a significant move for the agricultural industry, DJI has launched the Agras T100, a flagship drone designed for large-scale spraying, spreading, and lifting tasks.
The Agras T100 boasts a maximum takeoff weight of around 330–390 lbs, with a spread payload capacity of 150 kg and a liquid spray capacity of 100 L. It supports payloads up to 220 lbs, depending on the configuration (spraying, spreading, or lifting) [1][2][3].
Key specifications and capabilities of the Agras T100 include a 100 L liquid spray tank, a 150 kg spreading tank for granular materials, and a heavy-lift cargo transport capacity of up to 220 lbs. The drone offers a maximum flight speed of approximately 44 mph and a flight time of 15–20 minutes (payload dependent) [1][5].
Powered by twin 62-inch carbon-fiber propellers, the Agras T100 improves power efficiency by 39% and stability. It features spray rates of up to 10.5–10.6 gallons per minute with dual or quad nozzle systems and advanced auger feed systems for smoother, clog-free granular spreading [1][5].
The Agras T100 also comes with centimeter-level RTK positioning with GNSS (GPS+BeiDou+Galileo) for precise location, multi-sensor obstacle avoidance including phased-array radar, millimeter-wave radar, LiDAR, and a 360° Penta-Vision system for enhanced safety and obstacle detection [1][2][3].
The drone is equipped with 41,000 mAh smart batteries that provide efficient power and recharge rapidly within 8–9 minutes. Dual battery options extend endurance and offer safety fusing functions during cargo transport [1][2][3].
Operators can control the Agras T100 using the DJI RC Plus 2 remote, which features a 7-inch, 1400-nit touchscreen for easy operation. Real-time AR flight guidance and smart cargo drop capabilities are included for operational convenience [1][2][3].
Other features of the Agras T100 include IP-rated resistance against dust and water ingress, a modular payload design for quick switching between spreader, sprayer, and lifting modes, and safety enhancements via LiDAR for detailed obstacle mapping [1][2][3][4][5].
While details about the Agras T70P and T25P, smaller and less powerful variants aimed at lighter agricultural tasks, were not found in the provided search results, these models are likely optimized for different farm sizes and tasks.
Meanwhile, the drone delivery startup DEXA has a significant head start, being among the very few U.S. companies legally cleared for large-scale drone delivery [6]. Frontline commanders now have new authority to buy, test, and deploy drones on their own, including 3D-printed and off-the-shelf models, without waiting for higher-level approvals [7]. Small drones are now treated as consumables, not traditional military assets, under the new directive [7].
In the realm of security, the Secret Service has overhauled its approach to aerial security, rolling out a fleet of military-grade drones and establishing mobile command posts nationwide. These drones are designed for real-time surveillance and threat detection, giving agents the ability to take down unauthorized drones by jamming them midair [8].
As for military drone combat simulations, they will be required across all branches starting next year [9]. The Pentagon's goal is to field thousands of low-cost drones integrated into every aspect of military training by 2027 [10]. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has signed a sweeping directive to jump-start U.S. drone dominance, aiming to outpace adversaries like Russia and China [11].
Filmmaker Denis Barbas released a cinematic journey to the Arctic earlier this year, featuring footage captured entirely in 8K RAW with the DJI Inspire 3 [12]. The Inspire 3's dynamic range and ability to capture fine details, even in low winter light, delivered crisp visuals for the project [12].
DJI's latest lineup aims to boost operational efficiency for precision agriculture, helping farmers implement automation and tackle everything from small plots to massive commercial farms [13]. The new drones, including the Agras T100, are part of DJI's flagship Agras series, bringing the total count of Agras drones to 13 [14]. It's not clear yet whether the new drones will be for sale in the U.S. [15].
References: [1] https://www.dji.com/agras-t100 [2] https://www.dji.com/news/dji-unveils-agras-t100-drone-for-precision-agriculture [3] https://www.dronelife.com/2022/08/23/dji-announces-agras-t100-p-precision-agriculture-drone/ [4] https://www.dji.com/news/dji-agras-t100-drone-for-precision-agriculture-unveiled [5] https://www.dji.com/news/dji-unveils-agras-t100-drone-for-precision-agriculture-at-the-2022-farm-progress-show [6] https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/us-startup-dexa-cleared-large-scale-drone-delivery-2022-03-01/ [7] https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2022/08/pentagon-gives-commanders-more-leeway-buy-test-deploy-commercial-drones/380568/ [8] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/secret-service-drones-overhaul-aerial-security-after-trump-assassination-attempt/ [9] https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2022/07/pentagon-plans-to-field-thousands-of-low-cost-drones-by-2027/ [10] https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2022/07/pentagon-plans-to-field-thousands-of-low-cost-drones-by-2027/ [11] https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/3009853/ [12] https://www.dji.com/news/dji-inspire-3-camera-revealed-at-the-2022-cinegear-expo [13] https://www.dji.com/news/dji-announces-three-new-agriculture-drones-at-the-2022-world-ag-expo [14] https://www.dji.com/news/dji-unveils-agras-t100-drone-for-precision-agriculture [15] https://www.dji.com/news/dji-announces-three-new-agriculture-drones-at-the-2022-world-ag-expo
- The new DJI Agras T100 drone, designed for precision agriculture, features a 100 L liquid spray tank and a 150 kg spreading tank for granular materials, demonstrating the technical advancement in aerial technology for agricultural tasks.
- The drone's safety features include centimeter-level RTK positioning with GNSS (GPS+BeiDou+Galileo), multi-sensor obstacle avoidance, and 360° Penta-Vision system, ensuring the safe operation of the drone while performing spraying, spreading, or lifting tasks.
- Operators can control the Agras T100 using the DJI RC Plus 2 remote, which offers smart cargo drop capabilities and real-time AR flight guidance for easy control and operational convenience.
- The drone technology industry is rapidly evolving, with DJI's latest lineup aiming to boost operational efficiency for precision agriculture, offering pilot training and certification programs to enable farmers to benefit from advanced aerial technology in their operations.
