To enable safe free flight, Airbus enabled active geofencing but did not allow the VSR to proceed beyond line of sight. “The free flight achieved by the VSR700 is a major step leading up to the sea trials that will be performed at the end of 2021 as part of the de-risking studies for the French Navy’s future drone,” said Bruno Even, Airbus Helicopters CEO. “Thanks to the French PlanAero, the program will make full use of two demonstrators and an optionally piloted vehicle to develop and mature the technical and operational aspects for successful UAS operations in a naval environment.”
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/airbus-uav-helo-completes-first-free-flight