Aurora Notches More DARPA Funding for Its X-Plane Contender

The DARPA program is looking for a candidate that can fly at speeds up to 450 knots, hover 'in a stable manner' and transition to forward flight.

Thursday, May 23, 2024 at 10:34 AM ET

Verified

Aurora Flight Science aircraft under development for a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) program called Speed and Runway Independent Technologies (SPRINT). [Courtesy: Aurora Flight Science]

Key Takeaways:

Aurora Flight Sciences has completed the conceptual design for DARPA's Speed and Runway Independent Technologies (SPRINT) X-plane and advanced to the next design phase.
DARPA awarded Aurora a significant $25 million contract modification, making it the sole competitor among Bell, Northrop Grumman, and Piasecki to receive upgraded funding.
The SPRINT program seeks an X-plane capable of high-speed vertical takeoff and landing (400-450 knots), stable hover, and seamless transition to forward flight, with Aurora aiming for first flight within three years.

See a mistake? Contact us.

Defense News has reported Aurora Flight Sciences has completed its conceptual design of an experimental vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft for the Pentagon and is moving on to the next phase.

On April 30, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) awarded Aurora a $25 million contract modification to continue working on its version of the Speed and Runway Independent Technologies (SPRINT) entry, a notable boost from the previous $4.2 million award.