NASA’s X-series aircraft are always technological testbeds, and the X-70 Fractal is no different. Okay, it’s slightly different. The American space agency chose to use generative AI to create the only known image of the aircraft, which accompanied the official announcement.
The stated aim of the experimental plane, whatever it actually looks like, is to “explore aircraft maneuverability in ways never before demonstrated in crewed flight.” That makes it obvious there will be humans on board, but the apparently modular design of the craft means it’ll have several (so far unstated) uses.
X70 Fractal patterns
NASA administrator Jared Isaacman called the plane “a crewed, high-performance platform to test advanced flight-control, maneuverability, and other cutting-edge technologies in real flight.”
“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.”
The X70 Fractal is designed to cruise at 926km/h (Mach .75). That’s about the same as any commercial airliner, which doesn’t tell us much. It’s also got an operating ceiling of 45,000 feet, somewhat above airliners but below fighter aircraft operations. A range of just 2,770km puts its performance well below that of a commercial airplane. Of course, it’s not a commercial plane.
The X70 has a takeoff weight of just over 4,500 kilograms. Just over 900kg of that is dedicated to experimental payloads. These will “conduct demanding flight research across a broad range of operating conditions.”
As with the X-59 quiet supersonic plane, the details of the X70 Fractal will remain as mysterious as possible. At least, until there’s something worth making a noise about.
