At this year's MAKS-2019 air show, VR-Technologies, the innovation design office of the Russian Helicopters Holding Company, a part of Rostec State Corporation, has signed dealership agreements for the promotion and sales of the light multipurpose helicopter VRT500 with a Malaysian company, Ludev Aviation. Supplies are set to start in 2023.

Ludev Aviation intends to purchase five helicopters. Optional equipment and details of the interior and livery colour scheme of the VRT500 will be determined after the helicopter is issued a type certificate and an airworthiness certificate in accordance with EASA standards. In early 2019 the technical project of the VRT500 programme was successfully completed and development of design documents started. Tests of the first prototype will start in 2020.

“Europe and Asia are priority potential markets for the VRT500 helicopter. With its performance, the helicopter competes with rotorcraft of the same class used in these regions,” says VR-Technologies director general Alexander Okhonko.

The VRT500 is a light single-engine helicopter with coaxial rotors. Its takeoff weight is 1,650 kg. The aircraft, which has one of the largest passenger and cargo cabins in its class, can accommodate up to five passengers and is equipped with a modern interactive avionics complex. The design solutions of the helicopter will allow it to reach the speed of up to 250 kph, fly up to 860 km and carry up to 730 kg of payload. The helicopter is designed in passenger, multipurpose, cargo, training, VIP and HEMS configurations.

VR-Technologies is an innovation design office of Russian Helicopters Holding Company established in 2014 to offer competitive research and technical solutions in the helicopter industry.