Airbus VSR700 UAV Specs, Engine, and Avionic

Airbus VSR700 UAV Specs, Engine, and Avionic – VSR700 (Vertivision Surveillance Rotorcraft 700) is tactical helicopter Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) developed by Airbus Helicopter and Guimbal Helicopter The VSR700 UAV  was developed aimed at ship operations and ground military missions, including intelligence, supervision, target acquisition and reconnaissance.

The VSR700  optional piloted vehicle (OPV) version made its first flight at Aix-Les-Milles Aerodromein in May 2017. It was integrated with a pilot-operated flight control system for test flights. UAVs are displayed for the first time at the 2017 Paris Air Show.

Airbus VSR700 UAV Specs

The VSR700 UAV  is based on a single-engine Cabri G2 lightweight helicopter developed by Guimbal. The energy absorbing structure is made of carbon fiber composites. It integrates the main rotor head which is fully articulated with three maintenance-free Fenestron tail blades and rotors.

VSR700 UAV  has a length of 6.2 m, rotor diameter of 7.2 m and a height of 2.5 m. Maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) and its empty weight are 700 kg and 450 kg respectively.

The tail rotor VSR700 UAV is heavily veiled with energy absorbing slippage, ensuring superior safety during near-surface maneuvers, and landing in a messy zone. Under-fuselage is installed with a skid landing gear through elastomeric mounts.

The VSR700 fuel efficient diesel power plant will significantly reduce operating costs, while proven designs will minimize maintenance costs.

Airbus VSR700 UAV Engine

The VSR700 will be equipped with a heavy turbocharged fuel engine, which develops a maximum power output of 155 hp. The UAV will have a fuel storage capacity of 296 litres and can be added optionally with an auxiliary tank to carry an additional 70 litres fuel load. UAV fuel consumption will be 15kg per hour.

Unmanned helicopter can reach a maximum speed of 187 km / h and can operate at a maximum height of 20,000 feet. It is expected to remain in the air for up to ten hours. He can carry out takeoff and landing operations at a speed of 60 kt (31 m / s). It is expected to offer superior durability and payload capacity similar to heavier UAVs.

Airbus VSR700 UAV Payload

The VSR700 UAV will have a carrying capacity of around 250 kg. Airbus is working with DCNS to offer an integrated package for future frigates to be introduced by the French Navy.

DCNS is responsible for developing solutions for ship missions, and the integration of UAVs into new naval platforms. It will also validate the load and mission data link above the UAV.

The mission system developed by DCNS will enable simultaneous management of UAV tasks and sensor controls through a battle management system (CMS).

Airbus VSR700 UAV Avionics

The VSR700 UAV  will be equipped with a fully multi-channel digital automatic flight control (AFCS) system that offers a very high level of redundancy. The AFCS comes from the existing Airbus Helicopters digital autopilot system. Electronics above the UAV will be protected from electro-magnetic interference.

VSR700 UAV  can be integrated with a variety of optional loads, including the Thales anti-submarine warfare module (ASW) with sonobuoy launchers, search and rescue rafts (SAR) Survitec RFD, Eurofile Safran 410 E-electro-optic (EO) system, Wescam L-3 system MX-15 EO, active radar array scanned electronically for AESA (Thales) and LRAD 450XL remote acoustic call devices.