How Aurora Flight Sciences’ New Aircraft Design Advances the Special Ops X-Plane Program

Image Credit: The War Zone

Aurora Flight Sciences has revealed an updated version of its fan-in-wing vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft design, which is part of the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) Speed and Runway Independent Technologies (SPRINT) program. This redesigned aircraft, uncrewed and scaled down from its original concept, is set to undergo further development and testing, potentially revolutionizing military aviation.

Aurora, a subsidiary of Boeing, is one of the four companies chosen for SPRINT’s initial concept refinement Phase 1A, alongside Bell, Northrop Grumman, and Piasecki Aircraft. In April, Aurora advanced to Phase 1B, which includes a preliminary design review. It remains uncertain if the other companies have progressed beyond Phase 1A. DARPA’s primary goal for SPRINT is to demonstrate a transformative blend of aircraft speed and runway independence, with the ability to cruise at 400 to 450 knots and hover in austere environments without prepared surfaces. This aligns with the U.S. Special Operations Command’s (SOCOM) High-Speed Vertical Takeoff and Landing (HSVTOL) project.

Aurora’s revised concept is tailored to meet DARPA’s rigorous objectives. The blended wing body platform can achieve a 450-knot cruise speed, with embedded lift fans and integrated covers facilitating a seamless transition from vertical to horizontal flight. According to a company press release, the design leverages existing engine technologies, reducing development risks and timelines. In addition to VTOL, the aircraft supports short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL), super short take-off and landing (SSTOL), and conventional take-off and landing.

The updated design features three lift fans, a refined composite exterior, and an uncrewed cockpit. This differs from last year’s version, which had four fans and a crewed cockpit. The three lift fans are now arranged in a triangular configuration: one at the nose and two on either side of the main body. The nose has two large angular air intakes, and a central exhaust is located at the rear between the v-tails.

An animated rendering from Aurora shows a flat panel sliding over the front lift fan and circular covers folding over the wing fans during level flight. There are additional doors that close flush with the fuselage underneath. Two auxiliary doors on the central fuselage may divert air from the main propulsion system during vertical takeoff and landing.

There are broad similarities between Aurora’s fan-in-wing configuration and the 1960s Ryan Vertifan design, indicating that these concepts, while innovative, are not new. Aurora’s SPRINT concept also resembles other designs with wing-mounted lift fans, such as Lockheed Martin’s uncrewed Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) Advanced Reconnaissance Insertion Organic Unmanned System (VARIOUS) from the 2000s.

The exact size and payload capacity of Aurora’s current SPRINT design are vague. However, the fan-in-wing technology could potentially scale to include more lift fans, opening possibilities for a future family of systems. While the current demonstrator is uncrewed, the technology could be adapted for traditional crewed aircraft.

Aurora’s approach aims to set the program on a path to successful flight. However, DARPA X-plane programs do not achieve a flyable demonstrator. Aurora’s previous experience with the XV-24 LightningStrike, another VTOL concept canceled by DARPA in 2018, highlights this uncertainty.

Despite this, SPRINT has clear interest from SOCOM and the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). A high-speed, runway-independent transport aircraft could offer significant operational flexibility and reduced vulnerability, especially in potential conflicts like one in the Pacific against China.

Overall, Aurora’s new design for the SPRINT program represents a significant advancement in military aviation technology. The project highlights the growing interest in runway-independent aircraft concepts across the U.S. military, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions to enhance operational capabilities.

As reported by The War Zone in their recent article