Brazilian agricultural research corporation Embrapa has teamed with S‹o Paulo University to develop a lightweight agricultural unmanned air vehicle.
The Arara 2.3 weighs 16kg (35lb) and carries an interchangeable 4kg sensor package fitted with a charge-coupled device camera which can download real-time images to the control station.
Six prototypes have been built, the first of which had its maiden flight earlier this year. The Arara offers a maximum 2h endurance at speeds of up to 86kt (160km/h). The system will be used to survey plantation types, identify crop distribution, soil flaws and the existence of pests. The Arara 2.3 is designed to offer farmers and landowners a cost-effective solution for land observation, says Embrapa. It is due to enter service this year.
Meanwhile, Embraer subsidiary Neiva has chalked up record sales of its EMB-202 Ipanema agricultural aircraft in the past 12 months due to an agricultural export boom in Brazil. Orders this year have so far reached 50 compared with 29 in 2002 and Neiva is hoping to convert a further 12 options into firm sales, it says.
Although all EMB-202s due for delivery this year will be equipped with the Avagas-burning engine, a cheaper, alcohol-fuelled version is due for certification in December and is expected to boost sales.
A number of Ipanemas have been sold to neighbouring Argentina and Uruguay, but Embraer says much of its sales effort will be focused on the domestic market where demand is high.
Source: Flight International
