New Russian Unmanned Helicopter Design is Game Changer - Costs Ten Times Less

The first unmanned helicopter in Russia was assembled in Bashkortostan. The drone, which will cost its customers tens times less than, as they say, training and maintenance of a real pilot, is already ready for production at the aviation plant in Kumertau.

Alexei Agrov found out what tasks it can perform and to whom and how it can be useful.

Georgy Zevig, Kumapp CEO: "The control systems are improved, its maneuverability is improved. One screw rotates to the right, the other one to the left".

The so-called coaxial rotors allow controlling the helicopter even with a very strong side wind. Helicopters equipped with such rotors are considered the safest in the world. They can be used both for military and civil purposes.

Georgy Zevig, Kumapp CEO: "It's hard to say in what fields it can't be used. Many departments and services are interested in this helicopter. We were already contacted by Asian countries about this helicopter deliveries".

All the details of the unmanned helicopter are made in Russia. It can lift up to 150 kilograms and spend more than six hours in the air. The first flights will take place in a few months.

Helicopter designers have no doubts that Russian unmanned helicopters will be in demand in other countries. Moreover, Russian helicopters have been considered the safest in the world for many years. They're now being used in more than 100 countries. For example, this one will soon go to China. Soon, two Kumertau multi-purpose ship-based helicopters K-226 will join the Russian special task aviation. Two more helicopters are being made. Orders for purchase or modernization of Russian helicopters come from almost all around the world. Safety and simplicity are the main demands of the buyers.

Yury Pustovragov, Kumapp Operations director: "No one else makes such helicopters. Why didn't Americans make such helicopters if they are so developed? Because they couldn't afford to make such an expensive construction, it could only be done by the state, and it did it".

It's difficult to believe but only some years ago the Kumertau helicopter plant almost went bankrupt. But after the plant joined the Russian Helicopters Holding, the situation changed drastically. Dozens of machines are produced every year. Thanks to the concluded contracts, the plant is loaded for two years ahead.

Alexei Agrov, Sergey Shelepin, Ishat Kazakulov, and Zemfir Abzalov, Vesti, Bashkiria