Under the agreement, Heinen Brothers Agra Services and Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems will distribute and market Pyka's Pelican 2 — the world's largest autonomous agricultural aircraft and the largest uncrewed aerial system (UAS) authorized by the FAA for commercial use.
"Partnering with Heinen Brothers and Kelly Hills is a major milestone for Pyka," said Volker Fabian, Chief Commercial Officer of Pyka. "They have decades of experience serving growers in North America, a strong reputation for safety, and a commitment to advancing innovative solutions in agricultural aviation. Together, we're bringing Pyka's technology to U.S. farmers to help them operate more efficiently, sustainably, and profitably."
Featuring an 80-gallon payload, a work rate of up to 222 acres per hour, and fully autonomous flight capability, Pelican 2 offers unmatched performance for U.S. agriculture.
"Pelican 2 represents a big leap forward in agricultural aviation," said Lukas Koch, Chief Executive Officer of Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems. "We're excited to partner with Pyka to bring this aircraft to U.S. growers. With its payload capacity, autonomy, and proven reliability in the field, Pelican 2 is the type of innovation farmers need to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow."
Leaders from Pyka and Heinen Brothers unveiled the partnership at the Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems Field Day in Seneca, Kansas, before an audience of agricultural experts, state officials, and industry leaders.
The first Pelican 2 aircraft are expected to be delivered to Heinen Brothers' and Kelly Hills' customers in the coming months, accelerating adoption of autonomous electric aviation technologies that help growers boost productivity while reducing environmental impact.
About Pyka:
Pyka is a robotics company on a mission to build the most useful autonomous aircraft on Earth. At the core of every Pyka aircraft is a vertically integrated aircraft-first robotics stack: proprietary flight control software, avionics, high-power density electric motors, motor controllers, batteries, and carbon fiber composite airframes, developed entirely in-house and manufactured in the United States of America.
About Heinen Brothers Agra Services:
Heinen Brothers Agra Services is a full-service ag retailer located in the heart of the Midwest. Headquartered in Seneca, KS, they focus on bringing reliable products and services to their growers in several states. Heinen Brothers and its subsidiary Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems, offer diverse aviation solutions and specialize in providing timely aerial application services to maximize yields and profits. Learn more at www.heinenbrosag.com or www.kellyhills.us.
About Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems:
Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems was established in 2024 by Heinen Brothers Agra Services to bring advanced Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and autonomous ground vehicles into the agricultural sector. The company is committed to enhancing farming operations by integrating cutting-edge technology that improves precision, efficiency, and safety.
SOURCE Pyka
Share this article