Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. company, announced on December 5, 2024, the completion of wind tunnel testing at the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) at Wichita State University. This testing supports the DARPA Speed and Runway Independent Technology (SPRINT) program.
This test phase validated the stability and control of the aircraft through the rotor fold and unfold sequence in flight, building upon previous folding rotor testing. These critical risk reduction tests confirm the concept is ready to move ahead into a flight demonstration as part of the DARPA SPRINT program.
Jason Hurst, executive vice president, Engineering, Bell, stated that Bell's advanced Stop/Fold family of systems will revolutionize the speed, range, and survivability of vertical lift aircraft for operations in contested environments. Bell is currently in Phase 1B of the DARPA SPRINT program, which aims to design, build, and fly an experimental aircraft (X-Plane).
The content on BeyondSPX is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. We are not financial advisors. Consult with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions. Any actions you take based on information from this site are solely at your own risk.