Flight Endurance
Operates for hours, not minutes – covering vast distances in a single flight.
Heavy Payload Capacity
Carries up to 20 kg of specialized equipment, supplies, or sensors.
A Proven Aerial Platform for Heavy-Duty Missions
One of Drone America’s flagship platforms is the Yamaha FAZER SAR, a powerful unmanned helicopter capable of carrying heavy payloads and operating over long distances. The FAZER SAR (Search and Rescue) is a fuel-powered UAS helicopter that has a MTOW (max takeoff weight) of 244 pounds and is designed for missions that demand endurance and lift capacity.
It has a proven track record in applications like precision agriculture and disaster response due to Yamaha’s decades of experience with remotely-piloted helicopters. Now, Drone America is leveraging this platform for public safety and industrial uses in the U.S.
Long Range & Endurance
With flight endurance measured in hours rather than minutes, the FAZER SAR can cover a large area in a single flight. Its fuel engine and efficient design enable missions such as pipeline patrols, search-and-rescue sweeps, or cargo delivery runs that are far beyond the range of typical battery drones.
Heavy Payload Capacity
This UAV can carry significant payload weight (up to ~70 kg on certain models) including specialized sensors, medical supplies, firefighting payloads, or mapping equipment. This heavy-lift ability makes it ideal for tasks like delivering critical supplies to isolated areas or deploying multiple sensors in one flight. (Under FAA exemption 44807, Drone America is authorized to operate the FAZER SAR for advanced missions, reflecting its safety and reliability.)
Precision and Stability
The helicopter design provides excellent stability in hover, making it well-suited for tasks like search & rescue, where it might need to hold position to deploy a life-saving package or hoist, and for inspection tasks that require a steady platform. Its robust build allows it to fly in varied weather conditions and moderate winds, providing operational flexibility when it matters most.
Advanced Autopilot and Safety Systems
The FAZER SAR features an advanced autopilot system with redundant fail-safes and GPS navigation. It is equipped with safety features such as automated return-to-home, obstacle alert systems, and geofencing. In collaboration with partners, we are working on adding detect-and-avoid capabilities so that this large UAV can safely share airspace with manned aircraft during beyond-line-of-sight missions.
Expanding the Future of Unmanned Aviation
FAZER SAR is a game-changing technology for Drone America – enabling missions that require the power and endurance of an unmanned helicopter. From firefighting overwatch to long-range delivery or surveillance, this platform exemplifies our technological excellence and commitment to expanding UAS capabilities.