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Home» News»VSR700 VTOL UAV Prototype Performs First Autonomous Free Flight
VSR700 VTOL UAV Prototype Performs First Autonomous Flight
The prototype of Airbus Helicopters’ VSR700 unmanned aerial system (UAS) has performed its first free flight. Airbus Helicopters picture.

VSR700 VTOL UAV Prototype Performs First Autonomous Free Flight

The prototype of Airbus Helicopters’ VSR700 vertical take off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has performed its first free flight. The VSR700 performed a ten minute flight at a drone test centre near Aix-en-Provence in the south of France.

Xavier Vavasseur 28 Jul 2020

Airbus press release

This is a significant step in the programme following the first flight in November 2019 when the prototype was tethered to comply with regulatory requirements. To enable this free flight, Airbus Helicopters implemented geofencing, a virtual perimeter, which enabled and justified a flight clearance from airworthiness authorities for free flight. The flight test programme will now evolve to progressively open the flight envelope.

“The free flight achieved by the VSR700 is a major step leading up to the sea trials that will be performed at the end of 2021 as part of the de-risking studies for the French Navy’s future drone. Thanks to the French PlanAero, the programme will make full use of two demonstrators and an optionally piloted vehicle to develop and mature the technical and operational aspects for successful UAS operations in a naval environment.”



Bruno Even, Airbus Helicopters CEO

The VSR700, derived from Hélicoptères Guimbal’s Cabri G2, is an unmanned aerial system in the 500-1000 kg maximum take-off weight range. It offers the best balance of payload capability, endurance and operational cost. It is capable of carrying multiple full-size naval sensors for extended periods and can operate from existing ships, alongside a helicopter, with a low logistical footprint.

November 2019: First flight. The VSR700 was tethered with 30-metre cables to fully secure the flight test zone. The subsequent phases of the flight test programme will now evolve towards free flight, and then progressively open the flight envelope.

This VSR700 prototype has evolved over the last nine months since its maiden flight. The programme implemented the geofencing function, as well as a Flight Termination System allowing the mission to be ended if necessary. Modifications have equally been performed to the air vehicle, alongside autopilot software evolutions and updates, as well as structural modifications and reinforcements.

-End-

About VSR700 Naval VTOL UAV

VSR700 VTOL UAV aboard a FREMM
VSR700 VTOL UAV aboard a FREMM. This future rotary wing UAV by Airbus Helicopters is set to be deployed aboard the future FDI frigates of the French Navy.

The VSR700 was being pitched by Airbus Helicopters and Naval Group for the French Navy’s « Système de drone aérien pour la Marine » (SDAM) program, initially scheduled for 2028. They will be deployed aboard the future frigates of the French Navy, the FDI as well as the FREMM.

The VSR700 made its maiden flight on November 8. 2019 at the Aix-en-Provence drone test center (south of France). Several test captive flights were successfully performed on an enhanced version of the UAV.

The VSR700 has a maximum take-off weight between 500 and 1000 kg, Airbus stated. The VSR700 capabilities are not officially known, but is expected to « automatically land and take-off, fly for ten hours at 100 Nm and carry 100 kilos of payload, i.e. radar and optronics.

Sea trials of a manned Cabri G2 with French Navy Horizon-class air defence frigate Forbin. French Navy picture courtesy of Airbus Helicopters.
Airbus Helicopters French Navy UAV VSR700 VTOL UAV 2020-07-28
Tags Airbus Helicopters French Navy UAV VSR700 VTOL UAV
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Authors

Posted by : Xavier Vavasseur
Xavier is based in Paris, France. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems and a Master of Business Administration from Florida Institute of Technology (FIT). Xavier has been covering naval defense topics for nearly a decade.

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