High-speed vertical lift X-plane completes wind tunnel testing

Aurora Flight Sciences, a Boeing company, recently completed stability and control wind tunnel testing for its high-speed vertical take-off and landing (HSVTOL) concept.

• The wind tunnel test, completed in March at Boeing’s V/STOL wind tunnel near Philadelphia, used a 20% scale model to collect highly applicable data for understanding the low-speed handling of the vehicle’s unique profile, particularly at the critical transition from vertical to forward flight. 

Why it matters: The test is a key milestone in the preliminary design phase of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Speed and Runway Independent Technologies (SPRINT) program.

• The DARPA SPRINT program aims to design, build, and fly an X-plane to demonstrate key technologies that enable a transformational combination of aircraft speed and runway independence. 

Zoom in: Aurora’s concept uses embedded lift fan technology and a blended wing body design to provide the scalable capability to cruise at speeds up to 450 KTAS (knots true airspeed, or about 518 miles per hour) and take off and land vertically on unprepared surfaces.

Bottom line: “This SPRINT wind tunnel test has validated our analytical estimates of the performance of the aircraft," said Larry Wirsing, vice president of aircraft development at Aurora Flight Sciences. "With this successful risk reduction testing completed, the program is ready to proceed into detailed design. 

"Aurora and Boeing have assembled a world class team of experts in advanced vertical lift technologies, and we are looking forward to the opportunity to continue working with the Government team to finish the design, build, and flight test of this aircraft that will demonstrate game-changing capabilities in speed, agility, and cargo capacity.”

Go deeper: Learn more at aurora.aero.

By Carmen Smith