Bell released a video showing off its Sprint X-plane high-speed convertible technology. The video shows ground testing of the engine bay system used to lift and land a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft before transitioning to jet flight.

Bell’s tests, conducted at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico, are part of DARPA’s Sprint .

In the video, the turbine-driven rotors on the test stand can be seen opening and creating thrust in a takeoff situation similar to that seen in a convertible like the Osprey. Like such aircraft, the X-plane in flight will tilt its rotor to a horizontal position for forward flight.

When the convertible reaches sufficient speed, the jet engine will be activated. In jet flight, the rotors will intervene, acting as brakes as they increase friction. To prevent this, the rotors are designed to spin and then fold and lock into place.

Once developed, the new piloted aircraft will be able to fly at high subsonic speeds of up to 833 km/h, at an altitude of 9,100 m, a range of 370 km, with a payload of up to 2,300 kg. The purpose of the new aircraft will be to provide a variety of missions, from landing special forces to assistance during natural disasters in hard-to-reach areas. Source