Russian Helicopters starts testing unmanned coaxial helicopter.

The Russian Helicopters Holding created an unmanned coaxial helicopter with a takeoff weight of 500 kg. Two test samples are undergoing the first stage of trials. Flight tests are scheduled to begin in the second half of 2018, Rostec State Corporation said on January 31.

Russian Helicopters' BPT300 unmanned coaxial helicopter at MAKS 2017 airshow

The project is implemented by the technological center of Kumertau Aircraft Works of the Russian Helicopters in the framework of a contract with Almaz-Antey. One of the helicopters is undergoing ground tests in the Industrial Automatics Design Bureau in Saratov. Experts are testing its piloting and navigational complex, engine controls, radio channel and other systems.

"The craft has good prospects on the military and civilian markets. Its engagement is broad. Such a drone can carry powerful monitoring systems, major arms which current quadcopters cannot lift," Rostec aviation cluster Industrial Director Anatoly Serdyukov said.

"The Kumertau design is one of the first in Russia. Our experts succeeded to make considerable progress and we plan to begin flight tests of the craft in the second half of 2018," Russian Helicopters CEO Andrey Boginsky said.

The unmanned helicopter of Kumertau design can carry a 150-kg payload and develop a speed of 150 km/h and fly for four hours. The helicopter is carried by an autonomous ground vehicle on the basis of KAMAZ truck.