DARPA Unveils X-76 Experimental Jet Convertiplane

The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has unveiled a new experimental jet convertiplane, the X-76. It is designed to combine the speed of a jet aircraft with the ability to take off and land without a runway, similar to a helicopter.

This was announced in a press release by DARPA.

According to the agency, the goal of the DARPA SPeed and Runway INdependent Technologies (SPRINT) program is to eliminate one of the most difficult dilemmas on the battlefield: the choice between high-speed aircraft that require a runway and the versatility of helicopters that can operate from virtually anywhere.

The SPRINT program is a joint initiative of DARPA and the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). According to the requirements, the X-76 must develop a cruising speed of over 740 km/h, be able to hover in difficult field conditions, and operate from unprepared sites.

“For too long, the runway has been both an advantage and a limitation — it provides speed but creates critical vulnerability,” said DARPA SPRINT program manager US Navy Commander Ian Higgins.

The SPRINT program’s experimental aircraft, officially designated X-76, is currently being built by Bell Textron after successfully passing the critical design review phase.

Following the successful completion of the design review, the program will move on to the production, integration, assembly, and ground testing phases of the demonstrator. Flight testing is scheduled to begin in early 2028.

It is likely that the US plans to create a new generation of Convertiplanes to replace the V-22 Osprey, which has serious safety issues.