VR-Technologies design bureau, part of Russian Helicopters (part of Rostec State Corporation) started bench tests of the main systems and assemblies of VRT300 unmanned helicopter,  the company’s press service has announced.

According to the announce, the new VRT30 remote-piloted helicopter flight tests are scheduled to begin by the end of 2018.

Among the priority tasks for VRT300 Arctic Supervision drone are the development of the Northern Sea Route transportation system and Arctic exploration assistance. To aid those purposes the machine is equipped with in-board side looking X-band radio locator of high resolution that enables to efficiently monitor the ice conditions.

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“To date, we have defined configuration and technical requirements for this helicopter, and carried out an extensive work to select suppliers of the main systems and assemblies of VRT300. The start of bench tests serves as a reference point, and if everything goes as planned, by the end of this year we will start flight tests. Technical solutions of VRT300 will ensure the level of failure-free operation, reliability and safety that is required for the operation in the international market of civil UAVs”, – Alexander Okhonko, VR-Technologies director general, said.

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Due to a big payload of 70 kilograms the aircraft can transport various cargoes, such as food and medical supplies, can be engaged in search-and-rescue operations and used to determine the size of ice fields suitable for scientific Polar stations.

VRT300 in Opticvision configuration is designed to improve the diagnostic system, prevent and eliminate emergency situations in the area of energy sources development and transporting. Its other missions include: diagnostics of overhead power lines, mapping, cargo transportation, exploration works, as well as monitoring of environmental situation, roads and road-side infrastructure.