NASA announced the latest addition to its historic X-series of experimental aircraft, introducing the X-70 Fractal. The new vehicle follows iconic predecessors such as the Bell X-1, which broke the sound barrier nearly 80 years ago, and the recent X-59 quiet supersonic demonstrator.
Design and Capabilities
The X-70 Fractal is built to serve as a high-performance and highly adaptable research platform for testing next-generation aviation technologies. Although NASA only released an artificial intelligence-generated image showing the aircraft shrouded in smoke and shadows, the agency confirmed several key performance specifications.
The crewed aircraft features a cruising speed of Mach 0.75 and can reach altitudes of up to 45,000 feet, with an operational range exceeding roughly 1,726 miles. Additionally, the platform can transport up to 2,000 pounds of experimental equipment internally or externally.
Flight Control and Future Plans
The aircraft incorporates advanced, rapidly reconfigurable flight-control technology designed to let NASA explore maneuverability in ways never before achieved in a crewed flight.
“The X-70 Fractal gives NASA a crewed, high-performance platform to test advanced flight-control, maneuverability, and other cutting-edge technologies in real flight,” said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. He added that the modular design and swift payload swapping capabilities will allow teams to progress rapidly between experiments.
The X-70 is scheduled to make its inaugural flight under the NASA banner within the next two years.
