Russian Helicopters to start trials of Katran rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicle in the autumn of 2018

The most advanced Katran rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicle publicly shown for the first time at the Victory Day parade in Moscow in the spring will enter flight tests before the end of the year, Russian Helicopters Group told TASS at the Army-2018 forum on Friday.

"Currently, the Katran drone is undergoing ground trials that will be concluded in the autumn of this year, after which the Group’s specialists will start the program of the Katran’s flight tests to be completed in 2019," the press office said.

During the ongoing ground trials, the specialists are checking the drone’s navigation instrumentation, the engine control system, the radio channel and the rotorcraft’s other systems. The Katran features the coaxial rotor scheme and has a take-off weight of up to 500kg.

The Katran drone may get several weapon suites, Russian Helicopters Group told TASS at the Army-2018 forum.

Several options of arming the Katran drone are being considered, the rotorcraft developer said.

"Specifically, the option of equipping the helicopter with reconnaissance systems is being considered, as well as the installation of various types of armament," the Russian Helicopters Group said.