Press Release

The VRT500 was a big draw in Dubai.

Issued by Russian Helicopters, JSC.

November 17, 2019

Russian Helicopters Holding Company, a part of the Rostec State Corporation, is presenting its light VRT500 helicopter project abroad for the first time at the International Dubai Air Show. The rotorcraft model is being showcased at the joint exposition of Russian Helicopters and Tawazun, an Emirati holding company.

The Russian debut of the light single-engine VRT500 helicopter developed by VR-Technologies, a part of the Russian Helicopters Holding Company, took place in 2018 at the HeliRussia international show. Dubai Airshow is the first foreign site, where the rotorcraft model is available to potential customers for viewing. In addition to this, the Russian Helicopters booth will showcase another development by VR-Technologies, that is the VRT300 UAV, which is also being presented abroad for the first time. Both aircraft feature coaxial rotors, which ensure high side wind resistance, and small dimensions making them suitable for use in restrained urban conditions.

"Today we are not only debutting our joint exposition with our strategic partner Tawazun but we are also presenting the light multipurpose VRT500 helicopter model abroad for the first time. The rotorcraft is being showcased as part of the city air transportation programme, which is interesting to our partners as a platform for ground-breaking solutions and technologies. We have a common vision of the future, where the key factors will be security, mobility and comfort, which we will be able to ensure. The next very important step for us is to manufacture an experimental VRT500 prototype in the second quarter of 2020," stated VR-Technologies director general Alexander Okhonko.

The rotorcraft features the largest cargo and passenger cabin in its class with a capacity of up to five people; at the same time, the outline dimensions of the rotorcraft are limited due to coaxial rotor placement, which permits the helicopter to be used in restrained spaces. The VRT500 is equipped with a modern avionics complex based on the glass cockpit principle, and its key systems have been developed by the best international manufacturers.

The VRT500 helicopter can be produced in several configurations: passenger, multipurpose, cargo, training, VIP and medevac. It will be the world's first medical helicopter in its segment that allows loading and unloading of the unified medical equipment through the rear cabin doors.