Subscale Aircraft Program Strengthens Path to TriFan 600
ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Sept. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- XTI Aerospace, Inc. (NASDAQ:XTIA) ("XTI"), a pioneer in next-generation xVTOL and powered-lift aircraft, today announced the successful completion of initial flight operations for its Sparrow and Kestrel subscale aircraft programs. These achievements represent important advancements in XTI's disciplined, milestone-driven roadmap toward building its full-scale, piloted TriFan 600 demonstrator.
Progress That Reduces Risk and Builds Value
- Over the past six months, XTI conducted a series of flight tests with its two high-fidelity, subscale prototypes code-named Sparrow and Kestrel.
- Operations validated critical aerodynamic performance, flight control logic and stability across a range of mission profiles.
- Results de-risk future development stages, accelerating the company's ability to advance the TriFan 600 program on schedule and within its disciplined capital plan.
Overview of the Subscale / Demonstrator Program and Sequence
- Sparrow – (approximately 1:15 scale, open blade) – Q2 2025*
- Kestrel – (approximately 1:12 scale, ducted fans) – Q3 2025*
- TriHawk – (approximately 1:8 scale) – Q4 2025
- Piloted Full-scale Demonstrator – 2027
*The linked YouTube video displays test flights by the Kestrel followed by the Sparrow.
A Strategy of Execution and Transparency
"Our subscale aircraft program develops smaller versions of our anticipated TriFan 600 regional vertical takeoff and landing aircraft to test new technologies and designs in a cost-effective and low-risk way, enabling validation of flight dynamics before full-scale development," said Scott Pomeroy, CEO of XTI Aerospace. "We are encouraged by our Sparrow and Kestrel results, and this program will continue to the TriHawk, and conclude with the full-scale, piloted TriFan 600, anticipated in 2027."
Dave Ambrose, VP of Engineering at XTI Aircraft added, "The success of Sparrow and Kestrel demonstrates the viability of key design elements of the TriFan 600 under flight conditions."
Next Milestone: TriHawk Subscale Aircraft
The next phase of development will be the TriHawk subscale aircraft, significantly larger than Sparrow or Kestrel, and designed to generate deeper insights into vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) dynamics and further refine system models. Initial flight operations are expected in Q4 2025.
Building Toward Market Opportunity
XTI's subscale program is designed to systematically reduce risk while positioning the company to capture the emerging market for mid-range VTOL aircraft. With global demand for efficient, versatile, point-to-point air mobility on the rise, the TriFan 600 is expected to serve a wide range of business aviation, regional transport, and special-mission markets.
"Subscale aircraft and models have been an important component of design validation throughout the history of aerospace engineering," said Alex Williams, PhD, Senior Advisor to XTI Aircraft. "It's encouraging to see the success and learnings of the scaled aircraft yield such positive results."
About XTI Aerospace, Inc.
XTI Aerospace (XTIAerospace.com) (NASDAQ:XTIA) is the parent company of XTI Aircraft Company, an aviation business based near Denver, Colorado, currently developing the TriFan 600, a fixed-wing business aircraft designed to have the vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capability of a helicopter, maximum cruising speeds of over 300 mph and a range up to 1,000 miles, creating an entirely new category – the xVTOL. Additionally, the Inpixon (inpixon.com) business unit of XTI Aerospace is a leader in real-time location systems (RTLS) technology with customers around the world who use the Company's location intelligence solutions in factories and other industrial facilities to help optimize operations, increase productivity, and enhance safety. For more information about XTI, please visit XTIAerospace.com and follow XTI on LinkedIn, Instagram, X, and YouTube.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release, including without limitation, statements about the products under development by XTI, the advantages of XTI's technology and VTOL technology, and XTI's customers, plans and strategies are forward-looking statements.
Some of these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words, including "believe," "continue," "could," "would," "will," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "target," "projects," or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar expressions. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based upon estimates, forecasts, and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by XTI Aerospace and its management, are inherently uncertain, and many factors may cause the actual results to differ materially from current expectations which include, but are not limited to, changes in market demand for VTOL technology, changes in applicable laws or regulations, and the impact of the regulatory environment and complexities with compliance related to such environment. XTI undertakes no obligation to revise any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that might subsequently arise. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the risk factors discussed from time to time in XTI's filings with the SEC, including those factors discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in its most recent annual report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on April 15, 2025, and in subsequent reports filed with or furnished to the SEC.
Contacts
General inquiries:
Email: [email protected]
Web: https://xtiaerospace.com/contact/
Investor Relations:
Dave Gentry, CEO
RedChip Companies, Inc.
Phone: 1-407-644-4256
Email: [email protected]
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SOURCE XTI Aerospace, Inc.