Naval Group-Airbus Helicopters expands VSR700 flight envelope ahead of sea demo

Naval Group-Airbus Helicopters has expanded the flight envelope of the VSR700 unmanned helicopter demonstrator during recent trials on behalf of the French Navy.

Airbus announced on 13 April that the VSR700 vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) had achieved 60 kt, “entirely opening its flight envelope at low speed”.

In 2018 the Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA) French defence procurement agency contracted Naval Group and Airbus Helicopters to build a VSR700 VTOL UAV demonstrator for eventual trials from a French Navy vessel under the SDAM (Navy Airborne Drone System).

Airbus noted that the latest trials bring the current number of flight hours logged to 10, and bring the programme closer to its goal of operating from a French Navy vessel at sea. “After reaching a speed of 60 kt, VSR700 swiftly moves toward the threshold needed to perform the 2022 sea demonstration for the French Navy,” the company said.

As previously revealed by Airbus Helicopters, the VSR700 is essentially a Hélicoptères Guimbal Cabri G2 light helicopter that has been fitted with autonomous technologies that include a sense-and-avoid capability. While no performance specifications for the VSR700 have been disclosed, the Cabri G2, on which it is based, is powered by a 180 hp Lycoming O-360 piston engine (derated to 145 hp), has a gross weight of 700 kg, a maximum speed of 185 km/h, a range of 700 km, and a service ceiling of just under 13,000 ft. Being autonomous, the VSR700 operator supervises the flight plan rather than flying the aircraft itself.