DARPA designates revolutionary X-65 aircraft

The United States military has a new “X” plane; the X-65. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency made the announcement on social media on May 15.

The technology in the X-65 could represent a monumental, paradigm-shift for modern aviation. It’s an uncrewed, experimental aircraft designed by Aurora Flight Sciences. The X-65 is being developed under DARPA’s Control of Revolutionary Aircraft with Novel Effectors, or CRANE, program.

Unlike virtually every other aircraft that’s ever flown in Earth’s atmosphere, the X-65 will have no external moving parts. No flaps. No rotors. No elevators, rudders, stabilators or any other method of maneuvering typically seen on aircraft since the Wright Brothers. Instead, the X-65 maneuvers in flight using bursts of air, a process called Active Flow Control.

The theory goes, if there aren’t any jointed surfaces, flight can be improved while also reducing costs, and wear and tear on the aircraft. Also, its smoother surface should help improve the X-65s stealth characteristics, since it will most likely be harder to spot on radar.

DARPA awarded Aurora Flight Sciences (AFS) a phase 2 contract in January for the CRANE program. Building on its existing X-plane candidate, DARPA’s phase 2 funding finances the detailed engineering design work needed to create a full-scale X-65. The DARPA contract awarded to AFS includes phase 3 option, as well, that includes flying a full-size X-65.

If DARPA executes phase 3 and green lights building a full-size X-65, the craft will have a 30-foot wingspan and should weigh just 7,000 pounds. AFS said it designed the X-65 to include “a modular wing configuration that enable future integration of advanced technologies for flight testing.”

The X-65 is the U.S. military’s first “X” plane since the X-62 Vista, an experimental aircraft the U.S. Air Force uses to test new technologies. DARPA is also working on other “X” plane programs like the “Liberty Lifter.” AFS also has a candidate for that DARPA program as well.