NASA has unveiled its newest experimental aircraft, the X-70 Fractal, at the UP.Summit at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crewed research aircraft is designed to accelerate the development and testing of advanced aviation technologies, featuring rapidly reconfigurable flight controls that let researchers explore new levels of aircraft maneuverability. Its modular design can accommodate up to 2,000 pounds of experimental equipment in internal and external payload locations.

The X-70 has a maximum takeoff weight of 10,000 pounds, a cruising speed of Mach 0.75, an operating altitude of up to 45,000 feet, and a range exceeding 1,726 miles. These capabilities will allow NASA to conduct a wide variety of flight experiments under demanding operating conditions. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman expects the aircraft to make its first flight under the agency’s banner within the next two years.

The X-70 joins NASA’s historic fleet of experimental X-planes, which includes the Bell X-1, the X-15, and the X-59. These aircraft have played important roles in advancing aviation technology and expanding the boundaries of flight. Through the X-70 program, NASA aims to accelerate aeronautical research, test emerging technologies, and support the development of the next generation of American aircraft.