Airbus VSR700 (unmanned helicopter)

Main article: Unmanned aerial vehicle (drone, UAV)

2019: Announcement

In mid-November 2019 Airbus , she presented pilotless the VSR700 helicopter. It is based on the Cabri G2 light two-seat commercial helicopter and is designed for use by the French Air Force.

According to the designers, the deck reconnaissance unmanned helicopter offers the best balance of payload capabilities, endurance and operational costs.

Airbus introduced an unmanned helicopter VSR700

The car received modified automatic flight systems. In the space previously allocated for the cockpit, the developers placed the onboard equipment of the drone. The cabin glazing has been replaced with technical panels.

VSR700 is capable of carrying several full-size naval sensors for a long period of time and can operate on existing ships along with other helicopters. The main areas of application of the new helicopter are search and rescue operations and reconnaissance during combat operations.

The manufacturer claims that the drone is capable of lifting loads up to 250 kg, flying for 10 hours and overcoming up to 185 km without recharging. The length of the vehicle is 6.3 meters, the diameter of its main rotor is 7.2 meters. The maximum speed is limited to 160 km/h.

The French Navy plans to use unmanned helicopters on the decks of frigates and destroyers. The timing of the start of operation of the VSR700 is not reported.

Tests under the VSR700 program have been conducted since 2017. Until November 2019, testing was carried out only on a 30-meter-long safety harness. Then the Airbus helicopter began to fly without finding the pilot at the helm.

Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even called this event "an important milestone for the program" and noted that the new product has a wealth of experience in developing autopilot systems and the knowledge of the military field that the company has.^[1]

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