Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters VSR700
The Airbus Helicopters VSR700 is a next‑generation, long‑range anti‑submarine warfare and maritime patrol helicopter built for the French Navy. The programme began in 2017 when Airbus Helicopters announced a replacement for the aging Lynx Mk 96 fleet under the VSR (Vertical Surveillance and Reconnaissance) label. After a competitive evaluation, the SAMM (Système Aérien Modulaire Maritime) configuration was chosen, leading to the first prototype flight on 2 September 2022 and a series of intensive sea‑trial campaigns in 2023 that validated its sensor suite and endurance.
Key features include a spacious 30‑seat cabin, a composite airframe, and twin Safran Ardiden 3G turboshafts each rated at 1 350 shp, giving a maximum cruise speed of 260 km/h. The five‑bladed main rotor employs active vibration control, while the avionics architecture integrates radar, dipping sonar, electro‑optical/infrared cameras, and mission‑management software into a single glass cockpit. The helicopter can carry lightweight torpedoes, sonobuoys, a 15 kW external payload, and has an operational radius of 1 850 km with up to 12 hours of endurance.
Its significance lies in delivering a modern, interoperable platform that enhances NATO maritime situational awareness, lowers lifecycle costs through modular design, and reinforces Europe’s strategic autonomy in naval aviation. The VSR700 also sets a benchmark for future rotor‑craft developments, combining advanced digital flight control with environmental‑friendly power‑plant efficiency. Beyond French service, Airbus Helicopters markets the VSR700 to allies seeking a cost‑effective maritime solution, and a 2024 memorandum of understanding with the Indian Navy highlights its export appeal. The aircraft incorporates health‑monitoring diagnostics that reduce maintenance downtime, and its low‑emission Ardiden engines meet the latest ICAO noise standards. Training is provided through a dedicated simulator that replicates ship‑deck operations, ensuring crews achieve full mission capability rapidly.
Key features include a spacious 30‑seat cabin, a composite airframe, and twin Safran Ardiden 3G turboshafts each rated at 1 350 shp, giving a maximum cruise speed of 260 km/h. The five‑bladed main rotor employs active vibration control, while the avionics architecture integrates radar, dipping sonar, electro‑optical/infrared cameras, and mission‑management software into a single glass cockpit. The helicopter can carry lightweight torpedoes, sonobuoys, a 15 kW external payload, and has an operational radius of 1 850 km with up to 12 hours of endurance.
Its significance lies in delivering a modern, interoperable platform that enhances NATO maritime situational awareness, lowers lifecycle costs through modular design, and reinforces Europe’s strategic autonomy in naval aviation. The VSR700 also sets a benchmark for future rotor‑craft developments, combining advanced digital flight control with environmental‑friendly power‑plant efficiency. Beyond French service, Airbus Helicopters markets the VSR700 to allies seeking a cost‑effective maritime solution, and a 2024 memorandum of understanding with the Indian Navy highlights its export appeal. The aircraft incorporates health‑monitoring diagnostics that reduce maintenance downtime, and its low‑emission Ardiden engines meet the latest ICAO noise standards. Training is provided through a dedicated simulator that replicates ship‑deck operations, ensuring crews achieve full mission capability rapidly.
