Key Takeaways
- Kansas State University’s ID3A is partnering with Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems to advance precision agriculture technologies.
- The collaboration focuses on research, community engagement, and technology transfer.
- Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) will be tested for crop protection, sensing, and autonomous operations.
- The partnership emphasizes farmer involvement in shaping drone adoption.
- Field demonstrations and data-driven research aim to support scalable, cost-effective use of drones in agriculture.
Kansas State University and Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems Expand Precision Agriculture Research
Kansas State University’s Institute for Digital Agriculture and Advanced Analytics (ID3A) has entered into a partnership with Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems to support the development and adoption of next-generation precision agriculture technologies. The collaboration brings together university research capabilities and private-sector operational experience to advance the use of unmanned aerial systems in farming.
Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems, founded in 2024 by Heinen Brothers Agra Services and based in northeast Kansas, works with agricultural producers and technology providers to deploy advanced drone systems in real-world conditions. The partnership reflects a shared objective of integrating new technologies directly with on-farm decision-making.
Research Focused on Real-World Agricultural Applications
The collaboration is structured around three core pillars. The first is research and development, with Kansas State University and Kelly Hills jointly exploring unmanned aerial technologies for precision agriculture. Research areas include optimized aerial spraying for crop protection, remote sensing methods, data analytics integration, and autonomous navigation.
Kelly Hills’ operational resources include a nearly 50,000-square-mile test range and experience with large autonomous aircraft such as the Pyka Pelican 2, which has received Federal Aviation Administration authorization for commercial use. These assets provide opportunities to test and refine drone applications under diverse field conditions.
Community Engagement and Farmer-Centered Adoption
A second pillar of the partnership focuses on community engagement. The partners plan to work with farmers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders through educational outreach, drone demonstrations, and technology awareness programs. The goal is to promote safe, effective, and sustainable adoption of unmanned aerial systems in agricultural operations.
Brian McCornack, a director at ID3A, noted that Kelly Hills’ close relationships with producers support the partnership’s farmer-centered approach. According to McCornack, engaging directly with growers helps researchers better understand operational needs and tailor solutions accordingly.
Technology Transfer and Commercialization Pathways
The third pillar emphasizes industry demonstration and technology transfer. Through field trials and real-world demonstrations, Kansas State University and Kelly Hills aim to support the commercialization of emerging UAS technologies and encourage broader adoption across the agricultural sector.
Ajay Sharda, professor of biological and agricultural engineering and an ID3A director, highlighted the role of data analytics and economic analysis in helping farmers evaluate new technologies. The collaboration seeks to identify ways to scale drone-based solutions while managing costs and improving return on investment.
Building Capacity for Unmanned Systems in Agriculture
Over the long term, the partnership is expected to generate training resources, research outputs, and extension activities that support the use of uncrewed aerial systems at scale. By combining academic expertise with operational deployment, the collaboration aims to contribute to workforce development and service capacity in areas such as crop monitoring, fertility management, and pest protection.
As precision agriculture continues to evolve, Kansas State University and Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems plan to use this partnership to align technological innovation with practical farming needs across Kansas and beyond.
