Rotorcraft
Airbus Makes First Unmanned Flight in VSR700 Helicopter
The autonomous, unmanned "tactical vehicle" is based on the Helicopteres Guimbal Cabri G2 and fitted with a diesel engine.
Airbus recently made the first unmanned autonomous flight of its unmanned tactical demonstrator. The VS700 was piloted and monitored from a ground station. (Photo: Airbus Helicopters)
Airbus recently made the first unmanned autonomous flight of its unmanned tactical demonstrator. The VS700 was piloted and monitored from a ground station. (Photo: Airbus Helicopters)

Airbus Helicopters has completed the first unmanned, autonomous flight of its VSR700 demonstrator “tactical vehicle.” The highly modified Helicopteres Guimbal Cabri G2 took off from the military airbase in Istres in the south of France. The VSR700’s 30-minute flight consisted of a variety of flight patterns before landing autonomously. The helicopter was piloted and monitored from the ground station located at the base. The helicopter had been flying autonomously since May 2017 with a safety pilot aboard.