A Polish unmanned helicopter on display at the show should make its first flight later this month, its developers say.

The second, non-flying prototype of the 1.1t ILX-27 rotorcraft is on view as part of a multi-company Polish exhibit.

The indigenous design is the result of a long-term collaboration between the nation's Institute of Aviation (Ilot), Military Aviation Works, and the Air Force Institute of Technology.

The first prototype air vehicle could be flown in Lodz, Poland as soon as next week, says Pawel Gula, Ilot's chief designer for the ILX-27. The test campaign will start with a short duration hover, he adds.

Intended to support operations involving land forces personnel, the vertical take-off and landing design could carry surveillance sensors or - as highlighted with the aircraft on show at ILA - weapons including unguided rocket pods. Power comes from a Lycoming IO-540 engine.

Source: Flight Daily News