Showcased during a media event at Airbus Helicopters' Marignane production facility, the VSR700 UAS is expected to be acquired by the French Navy shortly. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)
Airbus is ready to launch an anticipated procurement programme of its VSR700 vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aircraft system (UAS) for the French Navy, a senior programme official said on 8 October.
Speaking to Janes and other defence media at the site of the company's production facility in Marignane, France, Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even said he expects the French Navy to formally launch the programme following the recent successful conclusion of flight trials.
“In 2023 we performed and we concluded all of the flight-test campaign[s], in particular the automatic take-off and landing from a ship,” Even said. “We have demonstrated with the French Navy and the French DGA [procurement agency] that the VSR700 was meeting all the operational requirements expressed when we decided together a few years ago to launch this development, and we are now in discussion with [both parties] to launch this programme. It is a decision that we expect soon.”
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. The VSR700/Cabri G2 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.
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