Gets Funding For SPRINT Demonstrator Next Steps

Bell Textron announced it has been selected to advance to Phase 2 of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Speed and Runway Independent Technologies (SPRINT) X-Plane program with funding provided to complete the design, construction, ground testing, and certification of an X-plane demonstrator.

The program’s goal is to develop a High-Speed VTOL aircraft, or HSVTOL, with the capability to cruise at speeds between 400 to 450 knots at relevant altitudes and hover in challenging environments from unprepared surfaces.

Bell completed conceptual and preliminary design efforts during Phase 1A and 1B. The current Phase 2 involves detailed design and build, to culminate in flight testing for certification in Phase 3.

Jason Hurst, Executive Vice President of Engineering said, “Bell is honored to have been selected for the next phase of DARPA’s SPRINT program and is excited to demonstrate a brand-new aircraft with the first-ever stop/fold technology.

“This is an achievement we’ve been working towards for over 10 years, as we’ve leveraged our nearly 90-year history of X-plane development to bring new technology to our warfighters.”

During preparation for X-plane development, Bell completed activities to significantly reduce risk, including demonstrating folding rotors, integrated propulsion, and flight control technologies at Holloman Air Force Base in Alamogordo, New Mexico, as well as wind tunnel testing at the National Institute for Aviation Research at Wichita State University.

FMI:  www.bellflight.com/