Bell to build X-plane for Phase 2 of DARPA SPRINT program

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

"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," said Jason Hurst, senior vice president, Engineering. "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."

The goal of the program is to provide these aircraft with the ability to cruise at speeds from 400 to 450 knots (741 to 833 km/h) 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 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.

(article source: Bell Textron / editor: Anton van Rijsbergen)
(image source: Bell Textron)