"A unique unmanned tiltrotor has successfully completed a new testing stage by performing its first flight. The aircraft was created by VR-Technologies, an innovative design bureau, part of Russian Helicopters. A number of oil and gas companies and various government agencies are already showing interest in the unique project," the press service said.
According to VR-Technologies CEO Alexander Okhonko, the aircraft's development started in 2015 and since then significant results have been achieved, including the start of the first stage of its test flights.
Tiltrotors are a special class of rotorcrafts that have a number of advantages over traditional aerial vehicles built along airplane or helicopter lines. 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.
Russian Helicopters is part of the state corporation Rostec and is the only helicopter design and production firm in Russia.