United States to test radical new X-65 aircraft with futuristic controls

But that is not to say that X-65 will have no moving parts at all. It will actually have both traditional flaps and rudders along with the active flow control (AFC) actuators that will use pressurised air to shape airflow over the plane. The plane’s performance when it uses conventional control surfaces will act as a baseline. For the following tests, DARPA will selectively lock down moving surfaces to use AFC effectors instead.

The unmanned aircraft will weigh over 3 metric tons, have a wingspan that is a little less than ten metres across and could be capable of speeds up to Mach 0.7. Its weight, size and speed are similar to that of a military trainer aircraft, and this could make the test results more relevant to the world of aircraft testing.

The first X-65 is already being built by Aurora Flight Sciences, a subsidiary of Boeing, and is set to roll out in early 2025 when it will have its first flight.