Aurora Flight Sciences, in collaboration with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), is pioneering a transformative aircraft design with the X-65. This cutting-edge aircraft employs active flow control (AFC) technology, eliminating the need for conventional flaps and rudders. The AFC system utilizes 14 effectors to emit jets of pressurized air, shaping airflow over the X-65’s surface for precise control. This innovative design eliminates external moving parts, reducing weight, and enhancing performance. The X-65 demonstrator, with a 30-foot wingspan and a weight of approximately 7,000 pounds, will undergo rigorous testing to evaluate the effectiveness of AFC. Ground testing will commence at Aurora’s headquarters in Manassas, Virginia, followed by flight testing scheduled for summer 2025. The X-65’s modular construction allows for the interchangeability of outboard wings and AFC effectors, enabling the testing of various configurations and designs. The data gathered from these tests will provide invaluable insights into the potential of AFC to revolutionize aircraft design in both military and commercial applications. Kevin Uleck, CRANE program director at Aurora Flight Sciences, expressed optimism about the X-65’s transformative potential, stating, ‘The X-65 has the potential to change the future of aircraft design.’ Through the X-65 project, Aurora Flight Sciences and DARPA aim to validate AFC technology and open up new possibilities for future aircraft advancements.
Aurora Flight Sciences Unveils Innovative X-65 Jet with Active Flow Control
