By: Chance McGovern
Aurora Flight Sciences, a Boeing subsidiary, is spearheading a groundbreaking project that could reshape the future of aircraft design. In January, the company announced the commencement of construction on a new aircraft funded by the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) under the Control of Revolutionary Aircraft with Novel Effectors (CRANE) program.
The aircraft, known as the X-65 CRANE, is poised to revolutionize flight control by eliminating traditional external moving parts like rudders and flaps. Instead, it will be controlled entirely by jets of pressurized air, a concept known as active flow control (AFC). This innovative technology manipulates surrounding airflows, making the plane more lightweight and aerodynamic.
Kevin Uleck, the CRANE program director at Aurora Flight Sciences, emphasized the significance of this project, stating, “As we move into the manufacturing phase, we are getting closer to validating AFC technology and opening new possibilities for future aircraft designs. The X-65 has the potential to transform the aviation industry, and we are honored to partner with DARPA on this pioneering initiative.”
The X-65 CRANE will feature a wingspan of approximately 30 feet, weigh around 7,000 pounds, and achieve speeds of up to Mach 0.7. Aurora Flight Sciences aims to conduct the first official flight test in the summer of 2025, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of aircraft technology.