Airbus Helicopters VSR700

Airbus Helicopters · France · first flew 2020 · reconnaissance aircraft

The Airbus Helicopters VSR700 is an optionally-piloted unmanned helicopter based on the Guimbal Cabri G2 airframe, developed for shipborne naval reconnaissance missions.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, rotary
E — Engines	1 × piston, fuselage-mounted
F — Fuselage	6.2 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Unmanned naval helicopter derived from Guimbal Cabri G2
Compact optionally-piloted rotorcraft for ship deck operations
Airbus VTOL UAV with conventional single main rotor and tail rotor

Closely resembles the Guimbal Cabri G2 light helicopter externally, distinguished by the absence of a cockpit windscreen, sensor mounts, and a more angular equipment bay.

Specifications

The Airbus Helicopters VSR700 has a length of 6.2 m (20 ft).
It has a wingspan of 7.2 m (24 ft).
Its maximum speed is 220 km/h (137 mph).
Typical crew: 0 (unmanned).

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Launched as a concept around 2017 and first flown in demonstrator form in 2020, the VSR700 is being developed to meet French Navy requirements for a ship-launched tactical UAV. Airbus partnered with Helicoptères Guimbal to leverage the certified Cabri airframe.

Variants

The programme remains in development; the demonstrator leads toward a production standard optimised for naval sensors and deck handling systems.

Where you'll see it

Under evaluation by the French Navy as part of its future drone programme; no operational service declared as of the mid-2020s.

Related aircraft

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