Russian Helicopters presents light multirole VRT500 helicopter at MAKS-2017 for first time

Russian Helicopters holding company, part of Rostec State Corporation, has presented the light multirole VRT500 helicopter developed by the VR-Technologies design bureau at the International Aviation and Space Salon MAKS-2017.

The VRT500 is a light single-engine helicopter with coaxial propellers and 1,600 kg of take-off weight. The aircraft will have the largest passenger and cargo cabin with total capacity of five people and will be equipped with a modern avionics complex based on the "glass cockpit" principle.

The helicopter is planned to be supplied in passenger, multirole, cargo, training, VIP and HEMS configurations. The flight and technical parameters of the helicopter will allow it to speed up to 225 km/h and have up to 860 km of range and up to 730 kg of payload.

"The prototype of the light multirole helicopter for flight tests should be manufactured by the end of 2019. We are planning to finish the tests and to certify the machine by the middle of 2021, after which it will be ready to enter both Russian and international market," noted director general of VR-Technologies Aleksandr Okhonko.

The leading Russian and foreign companies are taking part in the development of the helicopter's main systems that are developed in accordance with the international safety standards and requirements. The certified engine that is already very popular in the world market, together with the modern maintenance service organization principles, ensures competitive operating costs and operational readiness. The LMH is to be certified by the EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) and serially manufactured at the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant.