Thales and Kelly Hills Launch TopSky-Powered Agricultural Drone Network

• Thales is partnering with Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems to deploy a Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) network in Kansas, supporting safer and more efficient agricultural operations.
• Powered by Thales TopSky – the world's most widely deployed air traffic control automation system, managing approximately 40 percent of global airspace and used in more than 100 countries – the network will support safe, long-range drone operations for agricultural applications such as crop spraying, scouting, fertilizing and seeding.
• Combining Thales airspace management expertise with Kelly Hills autonomous systems experience, the program will support the FAA’s safe drone integration goals and demonstrate scalable BVLOS operations at scale.

Thales, a global leader in air traffic management and aviation solutions, is partnering with Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems to deploy a BVLOS network that supports safer and more efficient agricultural operations across Kansas. Working closely with the Kansas Department of Agriculture, the collaboration will initially help farmers use UAS for everyday tasks such as crop spraying, scouting, fertilizing, seeding, while also demonstrating how BVLOS operations can be safely scaled and applied to other use cases across the national airspace system.

Drawing on the proven capabilities of the TopSky platform – the world's most widely deployed air traffic control automation system – Thales will provide the digital infrastructure needed to safely integrate drones into shared airspace. Kelly Hills will bring its experience in commercializing drone technology and deploying other advanced technologies into the agricultural sector. Together, the companies will create a robust ecosystem that allows agricultural drones to operate over extended distances without direct visual observation, while meeting the FAA’s regulatory standards and operational safety requirements.

Key Benefits of the BVLOS network in Kansas include:

• Increased Efficiency: Farmers can cover larger areas in less time, allowing tasks to be completed more efficiently, reducing costs and improving productivity.
• Enhanced Safety: Advanced detection and avoid technologies minimize risks to people, property, and other aircraft.
• Sustainability: Precision application of fertilizers and pesticides reduces environmental impact and optimizes resource use.

“Thales TopSky has helped safely and efficiently manage the world’s busiest airspace for decades," said Rob Geckle, CEO of Thales North America. “Now, we're applying that expertise to the next era of aviation. Together with Kelly Hills, we're helping unlock the full potential of agricultural drones, improving precision, productivity, and sustainability while paving the way for BVLOS operations at scale across the U.S.”

Thales is building on the expertise it gained through its deployment in North Dakota, home to the industry’s first FAA-approved data enclave for uncrewed aircraft systems. Thales recently announced its work with the state to operate this secure enclave, which stores, analyzes, and protects sensitive flight data, enabling integration of UAS into the U.S. national airspace system. North Dakota’s Vantis system, administered by the Northern Plains UAS Test Site, allows drones to fly safely beyond visual line of sight, and the Kansas system is expected to deliver these same capabilities for the state’s agricultural industry.

“Our mission has always been to revolutionize rural skies through the commercialization and integration of autonomous systems,” said Lukas Koch, CEO of Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems. “Partnering with Thales allows us to bring a robust suite of BVLOS tools and capabilities to agriculture, enabling farmers to work smarter, safer, and more efficiently in Kansas. We will bring Kansas to the forefront of this mission and create real solutions that can be scaled to farming and ranching operations across the entire U.S.”

As the number one worldwide provider of air traffic management solutions and services, Thales has supported American aviation, defense and security for more than 80 years. Forty percent of the world’s aerospace is managed by TopSky, 99% of U.S. commercial airports rely on Thales navigation aids to assist pilots in landing, and Thales is driving the integration of unmanned aircraft systems across the U.S. Its local experts deliver innovations built to the nation’s highest safety and security standards.