Experimental Design Could Fly Sans Control Surfaces

Aurora's X-65 has been started under DARPA's Control of Revolutionary Aircraft with Novel Effectors (CRANE) program.

The aircraft is a purpose-built testbed for demonstrating the effects of active flow control throughout a variety of flight envelopes and missions, testing the effects of the theory on tactical operations and performance-focused high-speed designs. The flow control system supplies pressurized air to more than a dozen "effectors" embedded across all flying surfaces and wing sweeps. The system, should it be effective, could provide "simpler" aircraft that no longer need traditional articulated flight control surfaces. Rudders and ailerons could be replaced by distributed outlets strewn about the stabilizers and wings.

The completed X-65 will sport modular, replaceable outboard wings and swappable effectors, allowing for a wider variety of Active Flow Control designs to be borne out in reality to gauge the most effective designs. The x-plane will be uncrewed, and sport a 30-foot wingspan. Component tooling and parts fab have already begun at Aurora's West Virginia and Mississippi facilities, with systems integration and ground tests to follow in Virginia.

“As we move into the manufacturing phase, we are getting ever closer to fulfilling the goal of validating AFC technology and helping to open the design trade space for future applications,” said Kevin Uleck, CRANE program director at Aurora Flight Sciences. “X-65 has the potential to change the future of aircraft design. Aurora is honored to support DARPA on this groundbreaking program.”

FMI: www.aurora.aero