A helicopter manufacturer in New Zealand has conceived plans for an unmanned rescue helicopter that will be capable of plucking mountaineers in distress from the summit of the world’s highest mountain.

The result of six years of research and development, TGR Helicorp’s Alpine Wasp is designed to reach altitudes of up to 9,000 metres – nearly twice as high as existing helicopters – and will be summoned at the touch of a button by climbers carrying special transponders.

The Alpine Wasp has been constructed using lightweight composite materials, has a specially designed diesel engine and rotor blades that can work in the oxygen-depleted atmosphere found at high altitude – most helicopters are restricted to an altitude of 4,300 metres. Climbers would be clipped to the helicopter’s harness and pulley and would then be instructed and monitored from a base station via video cameras and microphones.Following extensive testing in New Zealand’s Southern Alps, the designers hope to have the Alpine Wasp stationed in a specially designed hanger at 3,440-metre Namche Bazaar – the gateway to Mount Everest – by spring next year.

The news has raised concerns from within the mountaineering community that the presence of a rescue helicopter could encourage even greater numbers of inexperienced climbers to attempt to climb Everest.