Powerus Introduces U.S.-Manufactured Heavy-Lift Drones for Agricultural Use
Powerus Expands into Agriculture Market
By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill
Powerus, a Florida-based manufacturer of heavy-lift drones for defense and commercial applications, has established a new agriculture division to promote its products in the United States and internationally. This new unit will operate under its wholly owned subsidiary, Kaizen Aerospace.
Partnership with Sprig Aerospace
Headquartered in West Palm Beach with manufacturing facilities in Charlotte, North Carolina, Powerus has partnered with Sprig Aerospace, a Kentucky-based veteran-owned startup. Sprig is developing next-generation aerial application payloads and advanced agricultural analytics tools for use with Powerus’ ultra-heavy-lift H1000 drone.
In an interview, Powerus co-founder and President Brett Velicovich emphasized that the partnership aims to address the growing global demand for agricultural drones. He noted that U.S.-manufactured aircraft are becoming increasingly necessary as many have previously relied on imports from China.
Sprig will act as Kaizen’s distributor and marketing partner for the xFold series of products in the U.S. market. The company has also committed to standardizing its commercial spraying and aerial application fleet using Powerus’ aircraft, with its spray systems integrated into xFold airframes.
Recently, the Dragon H1000 drone received a significant regulatory approval, with the FAA issuing Sprig a special airworthiness certificate for experimental use, allowing for research and development operations. This certification is crucial for enhancing the drone’s payload capacity and refining its systems through further testing.
International Distribution Agreement
Powerus has also signed a distribution agreement with New Zealand-based Aerospread Technologies, valued at approximately $60 million, to market its heavy-lift agricultural drones in New Zealand and Australia. Aerospread, a prominent manufacturer of agricultural aerial application equipment, will serve as the exclusive agent for Kaizen’s xFold Dragon UAVs in these markets.
Aerospread currently operates a fleet of fixed-wing aircraft for agricultural applications and is looking to integrate drone technology to enhance efficiency in crop spraying and application processes.
Velicovich highlighted that this agreement reflects a broader trend among agricultural aviation companies to adopt advanced drone technology to remain competitive in the market.
Strengthening Commercial Drone Market Position
Velicovich stated that Powerus’ recent initiatives are aimed at solidifying its position in the commercial drone sector, particularly in heavy-lift and agricultural markets. He noted that the formation of the new agriculture division is a strategic move to capitalize on anticipated sales from these partnerships.
With a background in the U.S. Army Special Operations, Velicovich has extensive experience in drone technology. After his military service, he transitioned to deploying drones for commercial and humanitarian purposes, applying technology to address various complex challenges.
Powerus was founded last year and has since acquired drone-related businesses, including Kaizen, to fill gaps in the market for heavy-lift drones. The company aims to expand its offerings in both defense and commercial sectors, with the Dragon series designed to provide versatile solutions for various payloads.
Velicovich emphasized the adaptability of their drones, stating that they can be configured to carry a wide range of equipment, from sprayers to electronic warfare systems, depending on customer needs.