It is a five-seat helicopter of similar configuration to the R44, but with the addition of a luggage compartment, wider cabin by 8 in (20 cm), and powered by a Rolls-Royce RR300 gas turbine engine.

In 2013, Robinson was the global market leader, selling 523 light helicopters, a 1% increase from 2012.

[5] In 2024, Robinson bought Ascent Aerosystems, a maker of drones for the government & military.

[8] Several Robinson helicopters have been destroyed in incidents where mast bumping was determined to have occurred.

[9][10] A May 2018 article in the Los Angeles Times reported Robinson helicopters seemed to have increased susceptibility to mast-bumping incidents.