Pyka appoints Heinen Brothers as first U.S. distributor for its autonomous crop protection aircraft

Pyka, a California-based robotics company specializing in autonomous aircraft, has appointed Heinen Brothers Agra Services and its subsidiary Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems as its first U.S. distributors, the companies announced on September 3.

The agreement will see the Kansas-based aerial application provider distribute and market Pyka’s Pelican 2, which the Federal Aviation Administration has authorized as the largest uncrewed aerial system (UAS) for commercial agricultural use.

The Pelican 2 is designed for large-scale farming operations, featuring an 80-gallon payload, the ability to cover up to 222 acres per hour, and fully autonomous flight capability. Pyka said the aircraft can improve efficiency and sustainability while reducing operating costs for growers.

“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.”

Lukas Koch, chief executive of Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems, said the Pelican 2 represents “a big leap forward in agricultural aviation” and would help U.S. farmers address productivity challenges.

The partnership was unveiled at the Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems Field Day in Seneca, Kansas, in front of agricultural experts, state officials, and industry representatives. The first aircraft are expected to be delivered to customers in the coming months.