First flight of unique Russian tiltrotor

<p><strong>A unique unmanned tiltrotor has successfully completed a new testing stage by performing its first flight.&nbsp; The aircraft was created by VR-Technologies, an innovative design bureau, part of Russian Helicopters.&nbsp;A number of oil and gas companies and various government agencies are already showing interest in the unique project.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></p> <p>&ldquo;The development of the unique aircraft started in 2015.&nbsp; Since then, we have achieved significant results and have already started the first stage of flight tests,&rdquo; said the CEO of VR-Technologies Alexander Okhonko.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>The project is implemented as part of the Speed program adopted by Russian Helicopters. The main objective during the development of the unmanned aircraft was to create a flying test bed to determine the efficiency of design layouts and search for innovative solutions.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>A number of potential customers are ready to buy the unmanned complex for tasks related to monitoring and environmental control in areas with no possibility to use air strips.&nbsp; The complex can maintain smoke control in forests and restrained urban conditions, make aerial photographs, conduct monitoring of oil and gas facilities, and transport medical supplies to hard-to-reach areas.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>The project of the future multirole unmanned aerial vehicle was first unveiled by Russian Helicopters in August 2015 during MAKS International Air Show.&nbsp;</p> <p>Tiltrotors are a special class of rotorcrafts that have a number of advantages over traditional aerial vehicles built up according to the airplane or helicopter schemes.&nbsp; They can make vertical takeoffs and landings on restricted landing pads while transporting passengers or cargo with greater speed and over longer distances than traditional helicopters.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;Russian Helicopters performed the tests of the tiltrotor at Skolkovo Innovation Centre.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>