In Russia, the preliminary and technical design of the large unmanned helicopter B-700, which is positioned as one of the largest civilian drones of this type in the country, has been completed. This was reported by Defense Express, writes UNN.
Details
According to the publication, the development is being carried out by the group of companies "Aeromax," which specializes in creating civilian drones and digital geoinformation platforms. The next stage will be the preparation of design documentation for the production of a prototype. Factory and certification tests are planned for 2027–2028.
As Russian developers claim, the maximum takeoff weight of the B-700 will be 3600 kg, of which 700 kg will be payload. The stated flight range is up to 480 km, and the cruising speed is about 200 km/h.
Purpose
The developers state that the unmanned helicopter is intended for transporting cargo to hard-to-reach areas with poorly developed transport infrastructure. Possible military use of the project is not currently reported.
At the same time, Defense Express notes that although such payload capacity could be useful for the logistics of the Russian army, on the battlefield, due to its large size and relatively low speed, the B-700 could become an easy target for air defense systems. According to the publication, its use for logistical tasks in the rear is more likely, although even there it will remain vulnerable to long-range strike drones.
It is also reported that the B-700 is planned to be equipped with a "technical vision system," which should ensure the construction of an optimal route taking into account obstacles along the way.