Bell’s High-Speed Vertical Take-off and Landing Hits a Milestone

The company staged a successful demonstration of folding rotor technology and digital flight control systems.

Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at 07:10 PM ET

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The HSVTOL is designed to enhance rotor wing aircraft with the speed, range and survivability of jet aircraft. [Photo: Bell Flight]

Key Takeaways:

Bell Textron achieved a significant testing milestone for its High-Speed Vertical Takeoff and Landing (HSVTOL) concept, successfully demonstrating full-scale folding rotor technology and digital flight control systems.
This advancement moved the HSVTOL technology to a readiness level (TRL) of 4, with plans to rapidly progress to TRL 5 and an integrated demonstration.
The HSVTOL system aims to combine the hover capabilities of a helicopter with jet-like speeds over 400 knots, providing enhanced range, speed, and survivability for various military missions.
Bell is one of 11 companies participating in the AFWERX HSVTOL Concept Challenge for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Special Operations Command to develop agile solutions for austere environments.

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Bell Textron (NYSE: TXT) announced Wednesday that its high-speed vertical takeoff and landing (HSVTOL) concept hit a milestone in testing this past December with a full-scale demonstration of its folding rotor technology and digital flight control systems.

“This milestone, advanced Bell’s HSVTOL technology to a technology readiness level (TRL) of 4 in 2021, and our 2022 development plan has us rapidly progressing to TRL 5 with an integrated demonstration—one step closer to flight,” said Jeff Nissen, senior manager of Advanced Technology and the HSVTOL program manager at Bell.