The National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) at Wichita State University and Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems today announced a landmark strategic partnership designed to position Kansas as the nation’s leading hub for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations, uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) testing, advanced aerial mobility (AAM) and autonomous flight development.

“Kelly Hills offers access to nearly 49,000 square miles of airspace, a robust detect‑and‑avoid architecture, and a growing roster of commercial and government users,” said John Tomblin, WSU executive vice president for Research and Industry and Defense Programs and NIAR executive director. “Combined with NIAR’s engineering depth and industry relationships, we are creating a national asset that accelerates innovation and commercialization.”

Under the new framework, NIAR and Kelly Hills will combine their complementary strengths: NIAR’s engineering, certification and integration capabilities with Kelly Hills’ radar network, operational expertise and expansive test range – in partnership with one of the Federal Aviation Administration’s designated UAS test sites, University of Alaska Fairbanks UAS Test Site. The partnership creates the most comprehensive UAS/AAM test and experimentation ecosystem in the United States.

“This partnership between NIAR and Kelly Hills strengthens Kansas’ place as a global leader in aviation innovation and supports the advancement of UAS and AAM technologies,” said U.S. Senator Jerry Moran. “By bringing together NIAR’s engineering expertise with Kelly Hills’ capabilities, Kansas is well positioned to continue leading the way in shaping the future of aviation while strengthening opportunities for our skilled workforce.”

The new NIAR/Kelly Hills Advanced Flight Test Range represents a unified statewide capability to federal agencies, OEMs, defense organizations and commercial operators.

• Joint customer engagement and proposal development across federal, state, defense and commercial programs
• Integrated flight test as a service, autonomy, counter UAS and long‑range BVLOS mission support
• Delivering end-to-end solutions for customers from concept to manufacturing/production
• Shared strategy for future infrastructure including radar expansion, corridor extensions and integrated traffic management and detect and avoid systems

Both organizations have established a joint leadership working group to allow regular coordination on operations, infrastructure and strategic priorities. The partnership includes an annual strategic review to align investments, federal and state funding opportunities, and long‑term development of Kansas’ aviation technology ecosystem.

“Together, NIAR and Kelly Hills aim to deliver the complete lifecycle of UAS and AAM advancement – from concept and design through flight test, certification, operational deployment and ultimately production,” said Pierre Harter, WSU associate vice president of research and industry engagement. “This partnership positions Kansas as the premier destination for emerging aviation technology.”

“Our work together supports critical missions across agriculture, emergency response, logistics and national security,” said Lukas Koch, CEO of Kelly Hills. “This partnership accelerates technologies that make communities and our nation safer, operations more efficient, and industries more resilient.”

Wichita State University is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling more than 25,000 students between its main campus and the WSU Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech), including students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and WSU Tech are recognized for being student-centered and innovation-driven.

Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), Wichita State University provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students. The National Science Foundation ranked WSU No. 1 in the nation for aerospace engineering R&D, No. 2 for industry- and defense-funded engineering R&D and No. 9 overall for engineering R&D.

The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the Wichita State University main campus, is one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.

The National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) at Wichita State University provides research, testing, certification and training services to support the aviation, defense and advanced manufacturing industries. NIAR’s mission is to strengthen university research capabilities; provide applied learning opportunities for students; and support the aviation and manufacturing industries – while driving innovation and prosperity for the community, region and state. Established in 1985, NIAR yearly R&D expenditures exceed $400 million, with over 2,000 personnel and 2 million square feet of laboratory and office space in six locations across Wichita, Kan., and Huntsville, Ala. www.niar.wichita.edu 

Contact: Tracee Friess, NIAR A.V.P. Strategic Communication & Marketing 316-250-3428 or tracee.friess@idp.wichita.edu. 

Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems was established in 2024 by Heinen Brothers Agra Services to bring advanced Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and autonomous ground vehicles into the agricultural sector. Kelly Hills is committed to enhancing farming operations by integrating cutting-edge technology that improves precision, efficiency, and safety. With a commitment to innovation, Kelly Hills works closely with leading UAV manufacturers and collaborates with the FAA, the University of Alaska Fairbanks and Kansas Department of Transportation to ensure operations meet the highest safety and regulatory standards. www.kellyhillis.us  

Contact: 785-498-3719 or contact@kellyhills.us