Naval unmanned Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) systems are a growing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) subgroup. Modern warships have nearly-always relied on some sort of airborne element to reconnoiter areas Beyond-the-Horizon (BtH) and the role use to be fulfilled (rather effectively) by recoverable balloons and floatplanes. However, today's technologically advanced vessels require a more modern solution so several major UAV developers have centered the fray in delivering maritime-minded, helicopter-type unmanned vehicles to fulfill various ongoing requirements - some to be used as reconnaissance platforms and others as resupply air systems.
Airbus Helicopters has based a vehicle on the former with the framework made up of the French-made Guimbal Cabri G2, a twin-seat, single-engine light helicopter introduced in 2008. The revised, unmanned product is the "VSR700", retaining all of the excellent qualities of the lightweight and relatively simple G2 helicopter. The VSR700 was brought about to fulfill a French Navy requirement for a ship-launchable and -retrievable unmanned aircraft system. As a compact rotorcraft, the VSR700 naturally holds a small footprint aboard the deck of a warship - whether considering the larger Mistral-class amphibious assault platforms or traditional French Navy frigates currently in service.
Outwardly the helicopter carries over the same form and functionality as its manned predecessor. However, the cockpit section has been covered over and now holds pertinent operational systems. The optics set is fitted at the "chin" position and other sensors are mounted under the belly of the fuselage. The fuselage also houses the single engine installation which drives a three-bladed main rotor overhead. A shaft is buried in a thin tail stem driving power to the Fenestron-shrouded tail rotor unit. Horizontal stabilizers are affixed towards the aft-end of the tail stem. The undercarriage consists of a single four-point, twin-skid arrangement which further simplifies construction and maintenance of the vehicle.
Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.
January 2018 - It was announced that the prototype of the VSR700 program will be ready for its first-flight for sometime in 2018.
November 2019 - The VSR700 has completed its first-flight.
July 2020 - Airbus has completed the first tether-free flight of a VSR700 unmanned system.
July 2020 - Sea trials involving the VSR700 system are scheduled to begin before the end of 2021.
April 2021 - Having completed its low-speed flight envelope phase, the VSR700 now moves towards its delayed sea trials for 2022.
March 2022 - The VSR700 has begun active autonomous take-off and landing tests under Airbus Helicopters.
(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
✓Maritime / Navy
Land-based or shipborne capability for operating over-water in various maritime-related roles while supported by allied naval surface elements.
✓Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR), Scout
Surveil ground targets / target areas to assess environmental threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.
✓Unmanned Capability
Aircraft inherently designed (or later developed) with an unmanned capability to cover a variety of over-battlefield roles.
Length
20.7 ft (6.30 m)
Width/Span
23.6 ft (7.20 m)
Height
9.0 ft (2.75 m)
Empty Wgt
882 lb (400 kg)
MTOW
1,543 lb (700 kg)
Wgt Diff
+661 lb (+300 kg)
(Showcased structural values pertain to the base Airbus Helicopters VSR700 production variant)
Installed:
1 x Continental CD-155 jet-fuel/diesel piston-driven engine developing 155 horsepower and driving a three-bladed main rotor and Fenestron-shrouded tail rotor unit.
(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the base Airbus Helicopters VSR700 production variant. Performance specifications showcased above are subject to environmental factors as well as aircraft configuration. Estimates are made when Real Data not available. Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database or View aircraft by powerplant type)
None. Mission pack consisting of Electro-Optical (EO) camera, surface-search radar and various onboard sensors.
Supported Types
(Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above)
VSR700 - Base Series Designation
Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective aerial campaigns / operations / aviation periods.
Images Gallery
1 / 1
Image from official Airbus Helicopters marketing material.
Similar Aircraft
Aviation developments of similar form and function, or related to, the Airbus Helicopters VSR700...
The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content; site is 100% curated by humans.
France (possible)
