The heavy R6000 tiltrotor, developed by United Aircraft, successfully completed its first free flight on December 28 in China’s Sichuan province. The milestone represents a significant step forward for tiltrotor aviation, as the R6000 is described by its developer as the world’s first heavy-class tiltrotor aircraft. The test took place around one month after the prototype conducted its inaugural tethered hover flight, during which the aircraft remained secured to the ground for initial system checks and stability evaluations. The free flight confirms the project’s growing maturity and demonstrates the aircraft’s ability to operate autonomously without external constraints. With an approximate mass of six tonnes, the R6000 is designed to carry payloads of up to two tonnes. In its crewed version, currently under development, the tiltrotor is expected to accommodate up to ten passengers, expanding its potential for both specialized missions and civilian operations. Source and images: United Aircraft
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