This summer, farmers in the western Corn Belt and parts of the Southern Plains might spot an unusual sight: a slow, high-wing spray plane without a pilot. This isn’t a scene from a science fiction movie, but a glimpse into the future of agricultural technology. Heinen Brothers, a regional aerial application service based in Seneca, Kansas, will be flying the newly FAA-approved Pelican 2 unmanned aerial system (UAS) over row-crop fields and pastures.
The Pelican 2, developed by Pyka, is a significant step forward in agricultural drone technology. It’s roughly the size of a Cessna 172, with a 38-foot wingspan, and can carry about 80 gallons of product. It’s designed to cover more than 200 acres per hour at a cruising speed of 70 knots, making it one of the largest autonomous crop protection aircraft in the world. The drone is equipped with advanced LIDAR and RADAR systems, allowing for fully autonomous day-and-night spraying, although current FAA regulations require a pilot to be within line-of-sight proximity.
The Pelican 2’s technology is impressive, but what does it mean for the future of agriculture? Lukas Koch, CEO of Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems, a Heinen Brothers spinoff, sees it as a way to reduce pilot risk. “In our business, we all know and miss individuals lost to aerial application accidents,” he says. “We’re confident UAS technology will allow us to put pilotless aircraft into the most dangerous situations in the future to reduce those risks.”
Koch doesn’t see drones replacing traditional aircraft entirely. Instead, he envisions a future where different technologies coexist, each with its own role. “Cowboys still ride horses, despite the advent of dirt bikes and 4-wheelers,” he explains. “Each of these technologies have their place and all can coexist well together.”
The Pelican 2’s introduction in the U.S. is part of a broader global trend. Pyka’s aircraft are already in commercial operations with Dole in Honduras and are slated for use by SLC Agricola, one of Brazil’s largest agricultural producers. The 20-unit order for Brazil is a testament to the technology’s potential, and the flights in the U.S. this summer will further test and refine it.
The Pelican 2’s ability to operate 24/7, thanks to its five automotive-style sealed battery packs, and its advanced spraying technology, including on-the-go droplet size control, make it a powerful tool for modern agriculture. However, its true value will be determined by its performance in real-world conditions. The flights this summer will be a crucial test, helping to “harden” the technology and determine its place in the crop protection business.
As the Pelican 2 takes to the skies over the Great Plains and Corn Belt, it’s not just a drone flying over fields. It’s a symbol of the future of agriculture, where technology and tradition coexist, and where innovation is used to solve real-world problems. The sight of a pilotless plane spraying crops might seem strange at first, but it could soon become a common and welcome sight for farmers.
