DARPA has officially selected Bell Textron as the sole contractor to advance into Phase 2 of its SPRINT X-Plane program, sidelining rival bidder Aurora Flight Sciences, a Boeing-owned company. This phase will see Bell take charge of the engineering, building, testing, and certification of a high-speed experimental aircraft demonstrator.
According to a DARPA spokesperson speaking to Breaking Defense, the demonstrator’s construction will conclude by 2027, with initial flight tests scheduled for 2028. The program—launched in partnership with U.S. Special Operations Command—is focused on developing an aircraft that combines the high cruising speed of fixed-wing jets with the flexibility of vertical lift systems, capable of taking off and landing in harsh, unprepared environments.
The targeted performance includes cruising speeds between 400 and 450 knots (460–517 mph), all without relying on traditional airstrips. The platform is envisioned as a game-changing solution for rapid deployment and agile combat support missions.
Besides the SPRINT initiative, Bell is also involved in the FLRAA program for the U.S. Army, which aims to replace the UH-60 Black Hawk fleet with a next-gen assault aircraft boasting enhanced range, speed, and survivability.
