The Firefly drone can fly for up to 2 hours and carry 45 kg
Although multicopters have various applications, their flight length, and carrying capacity are still limited. Firefly is meant to address these issues; it can fly for around two hours and carry up to 45 kg of cargo. Parallel Flight Technologies, a California-based firm, created it in partnership with NASA, the National Science Foundation, and the United States Department of Agriculture.
The drone has a parallel hybrid propulsion system with four propellers driven by a module that combines an electric motor and a gasoline engine.
The internal combustion engine is used for forwarding flight, while the electric motor is utilized for maneuvers that demand quick torque, such as takeoffs and landings.
According to current estimations, the serial version of the drone should be able to fly for 1 hour and 40 minutes (or travel 201 kilometers) while carrying a maximum load of 45 kg hanging beneath the main body.
The operating time is increased to 3 hours and 20 minutes if the cargo is reduced to 23 kg. In comparison, most contemporary solely electric quadcopters have a maximum flight time of 30 minutes and a payload capacity of 4.5 kg.
Because it has a GPS system, the drone may be programmed to follow a specified flight course and perform takeoffs and landings on its own. It can also be operated remotely from a distance of 60 kilometers away via a radio signal.
Firefly is mostly used to give tools, gasoline, food, and water to crews combating forest fires. In the future, he may be able to identify and extinguish smaller flames on his own.
Furthermore, it might be utilized to transport medical supplies and samples to and from remote regions, to aid in disaster relief, or to perform a variety of other industrial activities.
The internal combustion engine is used for forwarding flight, while the electric motor is utilized for maneuvers that demand quick torque, such as takeoffs and landings.
According to current estimations, the serial version of the drone should be able to fly for 1 hour and 40 minutes (or travel 201 kilometers) while carrying a maximum load of 45 kg hanging beneath the main body.
The operating time is increased to 3 hours and 20 minutes if the cargo is reduced to 23 kg. In comparison, most contemporary solely electric quadcopters have a maximum flight time of 30 minutes and a payload capacity of 4.5 kg.
Because it has a GPS system, the drone may be programmed to follow a specified flight course and perform takeoffs and landings on its own. It can also be operated remotely from a distance of 60 kilometers away via a radio signal.
Firefly is mostly used to give tools, gasoline, food, and water to crews combating forest fires. In the future, he may be able to identify and extinguish smaller flames on his own.
Furthermore, it might be utilized to transport medical supplies and samples to and from remote regions, to aid in disaster relief, or to perform a variety of other industrial activities.
