The R550X, derived from the Robinson R44 Raven II, is an uncrewed helicopter capable of lifting loads up to 1,200 pounds (550 kilograms) without a pilot. It boasts a flight duration exceeding three hours and a maximum speed of 150 miles per hour, offering extensive range and VTOL capabilities that surpass those of drones and eVTOLs. This makes it ideal for challenging tasks in cargo, utility, and maritime operations.

Equipped with advanced sensors and digital flight control systems, the R550X can safely and autonomously operate in diverse conditions, including at night and in limited visibility. Rotor's software mitigates common helicopter accidents like inadvertent entry into instrument meteorological conditions (I-IMC), vortex ring state, mast bumping, loss-of-control, and controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).

Hector Xu, CEO of Rotor, stated: "The R550X is going to bring huge safety and economic benefits to a wide range of helicopter use cases. Demonstrating the impact of autonomy in dangerous missions like crop dusting and aerial firefighting is the first step towards our vision for safe and accessible vertical flight.”

The R550X, classified as an experimental-category uncrewed aircraft, is not intended for passenger transport. Operators can use existing FAA regulations for deploying the R550X in agricultural, firefighting, inspection, and maritime tasks.

Following the acquisition of Letters of Intent (LOIs) from agricultural aircraft operators for crop dusting, Rotor has begun producing two R550X units at its New Hampshire facilities.

Ben Frank, Rotor's Chief Commercial Officer, remarked: "We have a number of agricultural customers who want to start operating the R550X as soon as possible, and this demand is driving us to begin production immediately."

Commercial operations of the R550X in the US are slated to commence in 2024, with international ventures expected to follow.