Russia's VRT300 drone began test trials.

VR-Technologies Design Bureau of the Russian Helicopters Holding began test bench trials of the main systems and units of VRT300 helicopter drone. Flight tests are scheduled in late 2018, the holding said on April 19, 2018.

VR-Technologies' VRT300 drone being showcased at MAKS 2017

The technical concept of the unmanned aerial craft has been agreed with several Russian companies and departments to design a flying demonstrator with a maximum takeoff weight of 300 kg. The prototype will be used as a flying laboratory to test all systems and equipment, as well as interaction with payload and ground controls.

"As for today we determined the functional concept and the technical requirements to the helicopter and carried out major work to select the suppliers of VRT300 main systems and units. The beginning of test bench trials is a starting point and, if everything proceeds as scheduled, we shall begin flight tests by the end of the year. VRT300 technical solutions provide for faultless, reliable and safe operations required by the international drone market," VR-Technologies CEO Alexander Okhonko said.

VRT300 has been designed in two options: Arctic Supervision with a side-view radar for ice reconnaissance in the Arctic and Opticvision with increased flight range for monitoring and remote sensing.