XTI Aerospace has established a prototyping and innovation lab at The HIVE in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The facility is intended to fast-track development of the TriFan 600 powered-lift aircraft, starting with refinement of the current subscale model, Sparrow, and advancing toward a more sophisticated version, Kestrel.

Professor Robert Lunnie of the University of North Dakota is leading the project. He has formed a specialist team to advance XTI’s subscale aircraft and develop a modern flight control centre. The work aims to boost the TriFan’s performance and contribute to wider aviation innovation.

XTI plans to leverage Grand Forks’ aviation community and The HIVE’s resources to strengthen its position in the VTOL and powered-lift sectors.

“We are excited to advance the next generation of TriFan 600’s subscale models, focusing on critical flight control and aerodynamics systems,” says XTI’s chief strategy officer Tobin Arthur. “With Professor Lunnie’s leadership and strong local support and resources, the work at the XTI Prototyping and Innovation Lab will bring us closer to delivering the transformative TriFan to the market.”

“Grand Forks is rapidly becoming a hub for aviation innovation,” adds mayor Brandon Bochenski. “XTI Aerospace’s arrival strengthens our position as a leader in aerospace technology and we look forward to being a part of accelerating the TriFan 600’s path to first flight.”

“Our team is highly motivated and eager to push the boundaries of aerospace innovation,” says Professor Lunnie. “We are committed to meeting and exceeding key milestones that will ultimately shape the future of air mobility.”

“I am excited to have Professor Lunnie and XTI Aerospace collaborating at The HIVE,” says executive director Johnny Ryan. “XTI’s presence is a big step in our evolution from being a leading UAS market player to a broader mission incorporating all of VTOL and powered-lift markets.”