Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc.
company, has been down-selected for Phase 2 of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Speed and Runway Independent Technologies (SPRINT) X-Plane program with the objective to complete design, construction, ground testing and certification of an X-plane demonstrator.Bell is honoured to have been selected for the next phase of DARPAs SPRINT program and is excited to demonstrate a brand-new aircraft with the first-ever stop/fold technology, said Jason Hurst, senior vice president, Engineering.
This is an achievement weve been working towards for over 10 years, as weve leveraged our nearly 90-year history of X-plane development to bring new technology to our warfighters.The goal of the program is to provide these aircraft with the ability to cruise at speeds from 400 to 450 knots at relevant altitudes and hover in austere environments from unprepared surfaces.
In Phase 1A and 1B, Bell completed conceptual and preliminary design efforts for the SPRINT X-plane.
Phase 2 includes detailed design and build culminating in flight test during Phase 3.In preparation for X-plane development, Bell has completed significant risk reduction activities including demonstrating folding rotor, integrated propulsion, and flight control technologies at Holloman Air Force Base as well as wind tunnel testing at the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) at Wichita State University.
Bell has a rich history of breaking barriers and high-speed vertical lift technology development, pioneering innovative VTOL configurations like the X-14, X-22, XV-3 and XV-15 for NASA, the U.S.
Army and U.S.
Air Force, and continues to build on the legacy of the Bell X-1.Thegoal of the programis to create an X-plane drone with the ability to cruise at speeds from 400 to 450 knots at relevant altitudes and hover in austere environments from unprepared surfaces, DARPA says.Phase 1A of SPRINT began in late 2023 with several competitors, including Northrop Grumman and Piasecki Aircraft Corp.
Auroras and Bells designs were chosen to move forward into Phase 1B in May, 2024.
At that time, a first flight was forecast within 36 months.
DARPA had also suggested that two contractors might be continued into Phase 2, but has decided to continue with just the Bell concept.Sources: Bell; Air & Space Forces;