History of the V750 helicopter drone
In 1956, the American company Brantly Helicopter Corporation created the Brantly B-2B helicopter.
In 1967, the Brantly B-2B appeared in the Lewis Gilbert film, produced by EON Productions, “You Only Live Twice” (James Bond).
In 2007, Brantly International Inc. sold its rights to the Chinese companies Qingdao Wenquan International Aviation Investment Co. Ltd and Qingdao Brantly Investment Consultation Co. Ltd.
On 27 May 2009, a subsidiary company called Weifang Freesky Aviation Industry Co. Ltd (WFAI) was established and production of the Brantly B-2B was transferred to the city of Weifang in China. In the same year, WFAI started the design of a UAV version of this helicopter – the V750 – with Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC); AVIC being one of the three companies involved in the assembly of the Airbus A320 for the Asian market.
On 7 May 2011, the first flight of the V750 helicopter drone took place.
In 2014, the V750 was certified in China.
In 2015, Etincelan became the exclusive distributor in France and overseas France of products manufactured by WFAI, currently the Brantly B-2B helicopter and the V750 helicopter drone.
Uses
The V750 helicopter drone has been widely used for power line inspection, pipeline inspection, atmospheric sampling, forest fire prevention, marine surveillance, geological exploration, mapping, aerial photography, disaster monitoring, environmental monitoring, crop yield assessment, spraying and other areas.
This drone has high reliability, good corrosion resistance and high heat resistance. It can fly in rain and fog.
Depending on the purpose, it can be equipped with airborne instruments such as camera, video camera, infrared thermal camera, ultraviolet camera, GPS-corrected inertial navigation system, laser radar, passive microwave system, synthetic aperture mini radar, Geiger counter, etc.
It can integrate specific software to meet specific requirements (anti-collision system, shape recognition, etc.).
Main areas of intervention
 | Inspection of power lines and offshore wind turbines |  | Mapping and mineral exploration |
 | Inspection of pipelines and railways |  | Disaster response |
 | Photo, video and film shooting |  | Maritime patrol |
 | Urban planning |  | Rescue |
 | Forest fire detection |  | Site monitoring and nuclear leakage monitoring |
 | Road and motorway traffic control |  | Farming and forestry |
Example: Power line inspection
The V750 helicopter drone has been used, for example, to inspect power lines.
Depending on its configuration, it allows in-flight examination of power lines via its video system, using infrared and ultraviolet equipment. It sends the information back to the ground station in real time.
Inspection by drone is more efficient and economical, especially in places that are not easily accessible to humans (mountainous areas, forests, etc.). It also eliminates personnel safety problems.
It can also be used for the inspection of offshore wind turbines.
The main defects that can be detected by a V750 helicopter drone are: Missing substructure material, loose bolt, lost nameplate, nest, snow-covered installation, toppled tower, cable defect, broken strands, wear and tear, lightning damage, presence of foreign material, insulator defect, flashover trace, abnormal discharge, defective cable clamp, damaged equalization ring, deformed or displaced spacer, displaced or lost shock hammer, ground fault, rust, dangerous elements (trees…), etc…
It makes it easier to inspect the damage after a natural disaster (storm, etc.).
Shooting with a laser remote sensing system (LIDAR) mounted on a V750 helicopter drone:
Main technical specifications
| Length | 6.68 m (without blades) and 8.53 m (with blades) |
| Width | 2.08 m |
| Height | 2.06 m |
| Maximum speed | 161 km/h – 100 mph |
| Cruising speed | 145 km/h – 90 mph |
| Maximum take-off weight | 757 kg – 1,668 lb |
| Maximum payload | 120 kg – 264 lb |
| Maximum autonomy | 3 h (with standard tank) and 6 h (with auxiliary tank) |
| Control radius | 150 km – 93 mi |
| Maximum altitude | 3,000 m – 9,842 ft |
| Hovering ceiling | 1,070 m – 3,510 ft |
| Maximum rate of climb | 7.1 m/s |
| Rate of climb | 61 m/mn |
V750 engine
| Model | Lycoming IVO-360-A1A |
| Type | Aviation piston engine |
| Compression ratio | 8.5:1 |
| Power output | 180 hp i.e. 134.21 kW |
| Idle speed | 900 to 1,000 rpm |
| Operating speed | 2,700 à 2,900 tr/mn |
| Operator’s Manual | https://www.lycoming.com/sites/default/files/attachments/VO-IVO-360%2520Helicopter%2520Eng%2520Oper%2520Manual%252060297-11.pdf |
Further information
The V750 helicopter drone incorporates automatic take-off and landing. In case of signal loss, it can either land automatically or return to its base.
It can be guided in two ways:
– By setting a route in the flight control system software; in this case, the drone automatically follows the set path using the GPS coordinates. This mode is suitable for repetitive tasks such as regular site surveys, etc.
– By a remote pilot who directly commands the drone’s movements using ground control. In this mode of use, the flight control system provides the necessary information (altitude of the drone, attitude, etc.).
There are two ground control systems for the V750 helicopter drone:
– A mobile system allowing up to three remote pilots to direct the V750 drone. This system is suitable for linear surveys (VHT lines, railways, pipelines, motorways, etc.). The vehicle follows the drone during its movements.
– A single-user portable system for stationary use.
Gallery
