Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. company, has reached a major milestone in the DARPA Speed and Runway Independent Technology (SPRINT) program, completing wind tunnel tests to validate its innovative Stop/Fold rotor system. Conducted at the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) at Wichita State University, the tests aimed to confirm the stability and control of the Stop/Fold configuration during rotor folding and unfolding in flight. This follows prior successful evaluations of the system at the Holloman High-Speed Test Track in New Mexico last year.
The Stop/Fold system, a centerpiece of Bell’s advanced rotorcraft technology, promises to revolutionise vertical lift aircraft with increased speed, range, and survivability. It combines jet-like capabilities with runway independence, aligning perfectly with Agile Combat Employment (ACE) strategies in contested environments such as the Indo-Pacific. Jason Hurst, Bell’s Executive Vice President of Engineering, highlighted that the latest testing results are paving the way for upcoming flight demonstrations under the DARPA SPRINT initiative.
Currently in Phase 1B of the SPRINT program, Bell’s experimental aircraft, or X-Plane, seeks to merge the agility of vertical lift with jet-like speed, enhancing battlefield effectiveness for future air mobility and combat platforms. This breakthrough technology is particularly suited for Special Operations, enabling greater reach, speed, and operational flexibility in the most demanding environments.
SOURCE AND IMAGE: Bell Textron Inc.
