DARPA Selects Aurora Flight Sciences to Build X-plane with No Moving Control Surfaces

DARPA has chosen Aurora Flight Sciences to construct a full-scale X-plane as part of the Control of Revolutionary Aircraft with Novel Effectors (CRANE) program's Phase 3.

The X-65, a 7,000+ pound unmanned aircraft with a 30-foot wingspan, aims to demonstrate the practicality of using active flow control (AFC) actuators for primary flight control. This groundbreaking approach eliminates traditional movable external control surfaces, relying instead on jets of air from a pressurized source to shape the airflow over the aircraft surface.

In contrast to the century-old design paradigm using external moving parts, the X-65 utilizes AFC effectors on various surfaces to control roll, pitch, and yaw. This innovation is anticipated to reduce weight, complexity, and enhance performance.

Dr. Richard Wlezien, DARPA's program manager for CRANE, emphasized that the distinctive diamond-like wing shape of the X-65 is specifically designed to facilitate comprehensive testing of AFC in real-world conditions.

The X-65 will feature two sets of control actuators—traditional flaps and rudders alongside embedded AFC effectors on lifting surfaces. This dual setup aims to minimize risk and maximize insights into control effectiveness. Initial tests will establish the baseline performance using conventional control surfaces, followed by selective locking of moving surfaces, employing AFC effectors instead.

Describing the conventional surfaces as "training wheels" for understanding AFC's potential, Wlezien highlighted the importance of monitoring AFC effector performance compared to traditional control mechanisms. The data gathered will inform the potential revolutionary impact of AFC on both military and commercial aircraft in the future.

Scheduled for rollout in early 2025, the X-65 is a modular platform with easily swappable wing sections and AFC effectors. This design ensures its longevity as a test asset for DARPA and other agencies beyond the conclusion of the CRANE program. Aurora Flight Sciences has already commenced fabrication, with the first flight of the X-65 planned for the summer of 2025.