NASA has unveiled a new experimental airplane, the X-70 Fractal, which the space agency states marks a "new beginning for aeronautics." Details about the aircraft remain sparse, but NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman emphasized its role as a crewed platform for testing advanced flight-control and maneuverability technologies.
"Its modular design and ability to rapidly swap internal and external payloads will keep our teams flying, learning, and moving quickly from one experiment to the next," Isaacman said. NASA anticipates the X-70 Fractal's first flight under its banner within the next two years.
The aircraft was announced during the UP.Summit at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. However, instead of an actual photograph, NASA released an AI-generated image, a decision that drew criticism from some enthusiasts on social media.
According to NASA, the X-70 Fractal will accommodate up to 2,000 pounds of experimental payloads. It has a takeoff weight of 10,000 pounds and is designed to cruise at Mach 0.75, with an operational altitude of up to 45,000 feet and a range of approximately 1,726 miles.
Laurie Grindle, director of NASA's Aeronautics Division, highlighted the X-plane program's historical significance in developing aviation technologies. "It's exciting to bring on another X–plane to accelerate and drive aeronautics research," she stated.
The X-70 Fractal joins a lineage of NASA experimental aircraft, including the Bell X-1, which broke the sound barrier in 1947, and the X-15, which reached a record Mach 6.7 in 1967. NASA's current X-59 quiet supersonic demonstrator is also noted for its advancements in aviation technology.