Bell Textron Wins DARPA’s SPRINT X-Plane Program Contract to Build High-Speed, Runway-Free Military Aircraft

In a major victory for next-generation military aviation, Bell Textron has emerged as the sole contractor in the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) cutting-edge Speed and Runway Independent Technologies (SPRINT) X-Plane program. The Texas-based aerospace firm beat out Boeing subsidiary Aurora Flight Sciences to enter Phase 2 of the ambitious project, aimed at redefining the future of vertical lift aircraft.

The SPRINT program is a DARPA and U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) initiative launched in 2023 to develop an aircraft that combines the high speed of a jet with the vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capabilities of a helicopter. The primary goal is to produce a runway-independent aircraft capable of cruising at speeds between 400 to 450 knots (740–833 km/h) while operating in remote or austere environments — a capability deemed essential for future battlefield mobility, rapid deployment, and combat support.

Bell’s winning design features a technological breakthrough known as stop/fold rotor technology, a first-of-its-kind innovation in military aviation. This allows the aircraft to take off and land vertically using rotors like a helicopter, and then, during high-speed forward flight, the rotors stop spinning and fold into the fuselage to significantly reduce aerodynamic drag. Once the rotors are stowed, the aircraft transitions to jet engine propulsion, enabling sustained high-speed cruise — something traditional helicopters simply cannot achieve.

Jason Hurst, Bell’s Senior Vice President for Engineering, highlighted the achievement by stating, “This is an aircraft we’ve envisioned for more than a decade. Our team is bringing together advanced propulsion, high-speed aerodynamics, and vertical flight in one cohesive platform.”

Technical Highlights of Bell’s X-Plane Design:

• Rotor Stop/Fold Mechanism: Innovative system enabling the rotor blades to stop mid-flight and fold into the body to reduce drag.

• Jet-Powered Cruise: After transitioning from rotor-based lift, the aircraft switches to jet engines for high-speed forward flight.

• Runway Independence: Designed to operate from unprepared surfaces such as fields, roads, or makeshift military zones.

• Speed and Range: Target cruise speed of 400–450 knots (up to 833 km/h), making it significantly faster than any conventional helicopter.

• Mission Flexibility: Suitable for Special Operations Forces, rapid troop insertion, casualty evacuation, and resupply missions in contested environments.

Under Phase 2 of the DARPA program, Bell will move ahead with detailed design, construction, ground testing, and airworthiness certification of the experimental X-plane demonstrator. The aircraft’s development is expected to continue through 2027, with initial flight testing slated for 2028.

Bell is already deeply involved in advanced rotorcraft programs for the US military, most notably the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) initiative, which is set to replace the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. Their FLRAA entry, the V-280 Valor tiltrotor, was selected by the US Army in 2022, and shares conceptual similarities with the SPRINT aircraft in terms of high-speed VTOL capability.

The SPRINT X-plane is not intended to become a deployable aircraft but will serve as a proof-of-concept demonstrator, validating critical technologies that could be transitioned into future military platforms. DARPA’s X-plane lineage has a rich history of delivering transformative aerospace innovation, and Bell’s latest win puts it at the forefront of what could be the next evolution in combat aviation.

With this success, Bell Textron is not just building an aircraft — it is helping shape the future of how air forces around the world may move, fight, and adapt in high-threat, rapidly evolving operational theaters.