DARPA Moves Forward on X-65 Technology Demonstrator
Aurora Flight Sciences has been chosen by DARPA to construct a large-scale X-plane, showcasing the feasibility of using active flow control (AFC) actuators as the main mechanism for flight control. This forms Phase 3 of the Control of Revolutionary Aircraft with Novel Effectors (CRANE) initiative.
Rewinding to December 1903, when the Wright brothers achieved a breakthrough in aviation with the first fully controllable aircraft using wing warping, nearly every subsequent aircraft has relied on traditional, movable external control surfaces for maneuvering.
The innovative X-65 aircraft disrupts this long-standing design approach by employing air jets from a pressurized source to manipulate airflow over its surface. Utilizing AFC effectors on multiple surfaces, it controls the aircraft's roll, pitch, and yaw. This design, devoid of external moving parts, aims to reduce weight and complexity while enhancing performance.