Russian Helicopters gives new light helicopter and UAV updates
Russian Helicopters is aiming to have a prototype of its new light-utility helicoter ready by the end of 2019, as well as launching the first tests of its new UAV.
VR-Technologies, Russian Helicopter’s design division, is planning to roll out the prototype of its new VRT500 by the end of 2019 so as to start aerodynamic tests as soon as possible.
The VRT500 will be rolled out with passenger, utility, cargo, training VIP and Medevac training configurations. Rostec hopes the VRT500 will be the first light medevac helicopter to support a maximum take-off weight of up to two tonnes.
Alexander Okhonko, VR-Technologies director general, said: “This helicopter combines high flight performance and a great price with operating costs, in addition to its spacious cabin, the largest in its class. These characteristics shall allow VRT500 to occupy up to 15% of the global market of civil helicopters with maximum take-off weight up to 2 tons. We expect to produce and sell an average of 700 helicopters by 2030.”
The biggest target market for the new helicopter will be Latin America and the Caribbean, with an estimated 30% of the model range heading out to that region. Mr Okhonko also claims that about 15% of its VRT500 will be heading to the North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Russia and CIS regions.
The coaxialrotor helicopter has a 1,600kg take-off weight, with a top speed of 230km/h and a top range of 1,000 km carrying a payload of up to 750kg.
Alongside this, VR-Technologies is also testing its VRT300 unmanned helicopters. The bench tests of the main systems and assemblies of the VRT300, with flight tests scheduled by the end of 2018.
The Russian UAV helicopter will be available in two specifications, an Artic Supervision model – with a side-view radar for reconnaissance operations in Arctic conditions and Opticvision which features an increased flight range for remote-sensing missions.
The VRT300 also has a maximum take-off weight of 300kg and will be used as a test-bed for upcoming Russian UAV systems and equipment testing.
Mr Okhonko, added: “To date, we have defined configuration and technical requirements for this helicopter, and carried out an extensive selection of suppliers of the main systems and assemblies of VRT300.
“The start of bench tests serves as a reference point and, if everything goes as planned, by the end of this year we will start flight tests. Technical solutions of VRT300 will ensure the level of failure-free operation, reliability and safety that is required for the operation in the international market of civil UAVs.”
