R550 Airtruck
Heavy Lift UAV. Available now from $195,000*.
*As a retrofit kit for Robinson R44 helicopters. Installation, Ground Control Station not included.
1,000+ lbs of unmanned payload
More lifting capacity than any other commercially-available UAV.
63 cubic feet of internal volume
Airtruck is a versatile unmanned platform that can carry large payloads internally or externally and can be modified to suit your specific mission needs.
Quad-redundant comms
Airtruck is equipped with four concurrent communications links as standard, including line-of-sight radios, 4G/LTE, and Starlink. Options are available for up to seven links.
360-degree sensing
Airtruck's five cameras and terrain lidar provide collision warning and full-coverage situational awareness in all weather conditions.
Gas-powered versatility
A Lycoming 6-cylinder aviation engine provides heavy lifting power and long flight times even in cold weather — without the need for electric charging infrastructure.
Deploy anywhere
Transport Airtruck on-road without disassembly and set up for flight in less than 15 minutes. Airtruck is designed to deploy quickly and easily anywhere in the world.
Single-pilot operations
Rotor’s flight control software brings intuitive autopilot functionality and autonomous safety features, making Airtruck safe and easy to operate for a remote pilot.
COST AND PERFORMANCE Comparison
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Specifications
R550 Airtruck
Heavy Lift UAV based on the Robinson R44 platform
Lease, purchase, and retrofit options available now
Retrofit kit for Robinson R44 helicopters starting at $195,000 (installation, Ground Control Station not included)
(Export-capable configuration)
BVLOS capable, subject to regulatory restrictions
2x Side Cameras
1x Downward Camera
1x Tail Camera
1x Radar Altimeter
1x Terrain Lidar
2x 4G/LTE
1x Starlink Mini
Attitude Control Velocity Hold (ACVH)
Translational Rate Command (TRC)
Terrain Avoidance
Emergency Return-to-home
1x Visual Observer
Commercial approval in Brazil and other countries
R550 Trailer
FAQs
Yes, the R550 is offered as a retrofit conversion for all models of Robinson R44. Factory conversions are available now at Rotor's facilities in Nashua, NH and Rotor is working with service centers to perform retrofit conversions around the world beginning in 2025.
For more information how to convert your R44 or to become a service center, please contact us.
Rotor's UAVs are heavy lift drones designed for utility missions like agriculture and firefighting. They are not certified to carry people.
At present, a commercial helicopter license is required to operate the R550, in addition to completing Rotor's factory training course. Rotor is working with regulatory authorities worldwide to enable Remote Pilots in Command (RPIC) to operate the aircraft by holding only a Part 107 remote pilot license.
Rotor is an independent company from Robinson Helicopter Company (RHC). However, we collaborate closely with RHC on engineering, certification, and supply chain. You can read more about this here.
No, Rotor's UAVs are not an optionally-piloted vehicles (OPVs), they do not have flight controls or seats onboard and are not certified to carry people.
The Airtruck is designed to be a versatile and customizable multi-mission platform. It supports third party payloads including gimbals, cameras, cargo buckets, winches, hoists, and firefighting tanks. Most products with an STC for the Robinson R44 are compatible with the Airtruck out of the box. Rotor also provides payload integration and testing services for custom payloads.
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Remote Operation Only
Day and Night Approved
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