Overview
- Following a successful Critical Design Review, the program transitions from detailed design to manufacturing, integration, assembly, and ground testing of the demonstrator.
- Bell Textron is building the aircraft as the sole performer for Phases 2 and 3 after a 2025 downselect from earlier competitors.
- Flight testing is planned for early 2028 under Phase 3 to validate high-speed, runway‑independent operations.
- The concept stops and folds its proprotors in flight to reduce drag and shifts propulsion for cruise speeds targeted at more than 400 knots.
- The X‑76 designation references 1776, underscoring its place in the X‑plane lineage, with technologies intended to scale for special operations and other austere‑environment missions.