Belarus Unveils Sky-Truck Unmanned Helicopter at MILEX-2025 with Impressive 500 kg Payload Capacity

At the international military exhibition MILEX-2025, Belarus introduced a unique addition to the growing world of unmanned aerial systems — the Sky-Truck unmanned helicopter. Developed by the Belarusian company KB Unmanned Helicopters, this new machine has been designed primarily for heavy-lift transport missions without a crew on board. Its standout feature is its impressive lifting capacity of 500 kg, making it a promising solution for both military and civil logistical operations in difficult or remote terrains.

Modern Design for Practical Operations

The Sky-Truck has been designed with a coaxial rotor configuration, meaning it uses two sets of three-blade counter-rotating rotors placed one above the other. This design eliminates the need for a tail rotor, reducing the helicopter's footprint and making it suitable for operations in unprepared landing zones as small as 30 x 30 metres.

The rotor diameter measures 12.8 metres, and the helicopter itself has a length of 7.7 metres without the blades, a height of 4 metres, and a landing gear track of 2.6 metres. A downward-angled vertical tail stabilizer ensures the vehicle maintains good longitudinal stability during flight.

To optimize balance and prevent issues with the centre of gravity, the rotor system is placed above the payload bay. This clever positioning allows it to safely carry cargo without affecting flight performance.

Powerful Engine and Performance

The Sky-Truck is powered by a Rolls-Royce 250-C30 turboshaft gas turbine engine, running on aviation kerosene. This engine model is well-regarded for its durability, with a designated service life of 3,000 hours.

The helicopter has a maximum take-off weight of 2,000 kg, with a typical operating weight of 1,700 kg. Its own empty weight is 1,100 kg, and it can carry up to 500 litres of fuel, adding another 375 kg. This leaves space for a 500 kg payload, typically housed within two Airbox transport containers mounted under the fuselage.

Flight Capabilities

In terms of speed and range, the Sky-Truck offers reliable and efficient performance:

• Maximum speed: 140 km/h

• Cruising speed: 120 km/h

• Economic speed for maximum endurance: 80 km/h

• Maximum flight endurance: 5 hours

• Operational range: 360 km

This makes it particularly useful for supply missions, border patrolling, and rapid cargo drops in remote or hard-to-reach areas.

The designated airframe service life of the helicopter is 6,000 hours, ensuring longevity in service and cost-effectiveness over time.

A Result of International Collaboration

Interestingly, the Sky-Truck closely resembles the Air Truck unmanned helicopter previously showcased by ADASI, part of the UAE’s EDGE Group, at major defense exhibitions like IDEX 2023 and UMEX 2024. Both platforms share similar specifications, payload capacities, and design philosophies. This is no coincidence, as KB Unmanned Helicopters cooperates with the UAE EDGE holding, highlighting the growing trend of international collaboration in unmanned aviation technology.

Future Prospects

The Sky-Truck has already caught market attention. According to a company representative at MILEX-2025, a preliminary order has been placed for 20 units by an undisclosed customer. This signals the rising demand for unmanned logistics helicopters capable of lifting significant payloads while operating in challenging environments.

With its strong specifications, reliable engine, and practical design, the Sky-Truck unmanned helicopter positions itself as a competitive option in the global market for unmanned aerial transport systems.