Airbus Helicopters naval UAV programme achieves major milestone

Europe-based aerospace and defence group Airbus has reported that its VSR700 optionally-piloted vehicle (OPV) helicopter has successfully made fully autonomous approaches and landings and subsequent take-offs from a platform that simulated the movement of ships at sea. The platform is mounted on hydraulic arms which move it to reproduce the pitching and rolling movements of a ship. The VSR700 is based on the Hélicoptères Guimbal Cabri G2 light helicopter. For this test it carried a safety pilot, who kept his hands off the controls but who could have taken over control had any problems developed. These tests were the latest step in a programme that began in 2018 with a contract from France’s Armament General Administration to Airbus Helicopters and French shipbuilders Naval group to develop a tactical uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV, also known as a drone) for the French Navy.