Textron : Bell to Build X-Plane for Phase 2 of DARPA Speed and Runway Independent Technologies (SPRINT) X-Plane Program

Published: 2025-07-09 13:09:05 ET TXT

Published on 07/09/2025 at 13:09

Bell awarded funding for X-plane build phase of SPRINT program

Fort Worth, TX (July 9, 2024) -- Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) 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 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, executive 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 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.

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Press Contact Gianna [email protected]

ABOUT BELL Thinking above and beyond is what we do. For more than 85 years, we've been reimagining the experience of flight - and where it can take us. We are pioneers. We were the first to break the sound barrier and to certify a commercial helicopter. We were a part of NASA's first lunar mission and brought advanced tiltrotor systems to market. Today, we're defining the future of advanced air mobility. Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas - as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., - we have strategic locations around the globe. And with nearly one quarter of our workforce having served, helping our military achieve their missions is a passion of ours. Above all, our breakthrough innovations deliver exceptional experiences to our customers. Efficiently. Reliably. And always, with safety at the forefront.

ABOUT TEXTRON INC. Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, and Textron Systems. For more information, visit: https://www.textron.com.

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Textron Inc. published this content on July 09, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on July 09, 2025 at 17:08 UTC.