NASA has announced the X-70 Fractal, an experimental, crewed aircraft intended to test advanced flight controls, maneuverability, and other technologies in real-world flight. The aircraft is expected to use reconfigurable flight-control technology and a modular design for rapidly changing experimental payloads. However, important details about its design, development schedule, and industry partners remain unknown, even as NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman has said the X-Plane could fly within two years.
The announcement, described in a NASA press release, included an image of the X-70 that appears to be AI-generated. The image shows a dark silhouette vaguely resembling a military fighter jet and surrounded by smoke. Isaacman announced the aircraft at UP.Summit, held November 4 at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
“The X-70 Fractal provides NASA with a high-performance manned platform to test advanced flight controls, maneuverability, and other cutting-edge technologies in real-world flight,” Isaacman said. “Its modular design and ability to quickly exchange internal and external payloads allows teams to keep flying, learning, and moving quickly from one experiment to the next.”
According to NASA, the X-70 is designed to cruise at Mach 0.75, reach a maximum altitude of 45,000 feet, and travel more than 1,726 miles (2,778 kilometers). The aircraft is expected to have a takeoff weight of 10,000 pounds (4,536 kilograms) and carry up to 2,000 pounds (907 kilograms) of experimental payload, both internally and externally.
NASA’s announcement did not identify any aircraft manufacturers that may be supporting development of the X-plane. Ars has reached out to NASA for more information.
Return of the Blackbird?
According to Aviation Week, another X-Plane could also be announced at UP.Summit on November 6. That announcement would coincide with an appearance by President Donald Trump scheduled for the event.
Source: arstechnica.com