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.

French minister of the Armed Forces, Florence Parly, announced that rotary and fixed wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) for the French Navy (Marine Nationale) will be procured ahead of schedule. The announcement came as part of a wider recovery plan to help the French aerospace industry cope with the current economic crisis.

The Airbus Helicopters VSR700 naval VTOL UAV made its maiden flight on November 8 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.