Key Takeaways
- Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems received $3 million to develop Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) UAS technology for agriculture.
- Funding was approved during the 2025 Kansas legislative session to advance aviation and agricultural innovation.
- BVLOS technology is intended to support yield improvement, input cost reduction, livestock management, and precision agriculture.
- The company operates a 49,000-square-mile FAA-licensed UAV test range.
- State officials said the investment strengthens Kansas’ position in aviation and precision agriculture.
Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems Secures State Funding for BVLOS Development
Governor Laura Kelly and the Kansas Department of Agriculture announced that Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems has been awarded $3 million to develop Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) technology for agricultural applications.
The funding, approved by the Kansas Legislature and Governor Kelly during the 2025 legislative session, is intended to accelerate the development of aviation and agricultural technologies in the state. Officials cited Kansas’ extensive cropland and grassland acreage, established manufacturing base, and leadership in precision agriculture and aviation as factors supporting the investment.
Governor Laura Kelly said: “Through investments into cutting-edge precision agriculture technology, we are giving Kansas farmers and ranchers a leg up. Kansas' vast cropland and grassland acreage, as well as our diversified agriculture industry, make us the ideal location for these developments.”
Advancing Precision Agriculture and Aviation
The BVLOS technology under development is designed to enable farmers, ranchers, and agricultural retailers to operate unmanned aerial systems beyond the pilot’s line of sight. The technology is expected to support yield optimization, input cost reduction, livestock management, and broader precision agriculture capabilities.
Kansas Department of Agriculture Secretary Mike Beam said: “Kelly Hills is building on a storied history of agriculture and aviation innovation in the state of Kansas. This investment will ensure that Kansas farmers and ranchers remain at the forefront of the industry.”
Representative Avery Anderson, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Public Safety Budget, noted that Kelly Hills collaborated with major aviation research institutions in Kansas, including Wichita State University, during the application process.
Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems Expands UAV Capabilities
Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems was established in 2024 by Heinen Brothers Agra Services to introduce advanced unmanned aerial vehicles and autonomous ground vehicles into agricultural operations. The company focuses on integrating precision and autonomous technologies into farming practices.
Lukas Koch, CEO of Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems, said: “This investment in Beyond Visual Line of Sight radar technology is a critical step toward establishing Kansas as a national leader in unmanned aviation. The support from Governor Kelly, Representative Anderson, Senator Bowser, and other key legislators sends a clear signal that Kansas intends to lead in both advanced aviation and precision agriculture.”
Kelly Hills works with UAV manufacturers and collaborates with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Kansas Department of Transportation, and the University of Alaska at Fairbanks. In 2024, the company received an FAA license to operate a 49,000-square-mile UAV test range. The new BVLOS technology is expected to enhance the capabilities of this test range and support further commercialization efforts.
