DARPA Grants Bell X-Plane Status for Sprint Program Aircraft | Aviation International News

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DARPA Grants Bell X-Plane Status for Sprint Program Aircraft

Work has begun on the high-speed VTOL demonstrator

Artist’s concept for the SPRINT X-76 — © DARPA | Colie Wertz

By Matt Thurber • Editor-in-Chief

March 10, 2026

After Bell Textron completed the critical design review of the DARPA Speed and Runway Independent Technologies (SPRINT) aircraft, work has begun on the flight demonstrator, now designated the X-76.

Bell was downselected for the second phase of the SPRINT program in July 2025, which entails detailed design, build, and ground testing. Phase 1A and B involved conceptual and preliminary design. After building the first aircraft, flight testing is slated for the third phase of the program.

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