DARPA Developing X-Plane for Special Operators.

• Author: Magnuson, Stew

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has kicked off a program to develop a runway-independent X-plane for Special Operations Command.

The Speed and Runway Independent Technologies, or SPRINT, X-plane demonstration project came to light in a March LinkedIn post.

The agency's Tactical Technology Office is soliciting proposals to design, build, certify and fly an X-plane to demonstrate speed and runway independence for a next generation of air mobility platforms, an agency statement said.

The artist's concept that accompanied the post portrayed an aircraft that looked much like the next-generation, autonomous hybrid-electric commuter aircraft that several companies are currently developing.

The broad agency announcement released March 9 stressed runway independence over other attributes. It did not mention whether the aircraft should be crewed, uncrewed or optionally piloted.

The announcement also did not mention whether it should use conventional or hybrid engines, only that it "must demonstrate the ability to generate and distribute power in all modes of flight and during transition between these modes of flight."

The announcement did, however, specify that the aircraft be scalable, have the ability to cruise at speeds from 400 to 450 knots, and at relevant altitudes between 15,000 and 30,000 feet. It should carry a payload of...