Rotorcraft
Testing Under Way for Russian VRT300 Unmanned Helicopter
First flight is expected late this year.

VR-Technologies, the Russian Helicopters design bureau, has begun bench testing the systems for its 660-pound (mtow) VRT300 coaxial unmanned helicopter, aiming for a first flight late this year. The initial prototype will be used as a flying testbed for the UAV’s systems and equipment, as well as for testing of its interaction with payload elements and ground-based monitoring and control equipment. The VRT300 is being developed in two versions: Arctic Supervision and Opticvision, the latter with increased flight range to perform monitoring and remote-sensing missions.