NASA unveils latest experimental aircraft X-70-Xinhua - 新华网

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- NASA on Wednesday unveiled its latest experimental aircraft, the X-70 Fractal, to accelerate the development and testing of advanced aviation technologies.

The aircraft was unveiled during a summit at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The crewed X-70 features advanced, rapidly reconfigurable flight-control technology that will allow NASA to explore aircraft maneuverability in ways never before demonstrated in crewed flight, the agency said.

The aircraft can also carry up to 907 kilograms of experimental payloads in internal and external locations, enabling a wide range of research and flight-testing opportunities, according to NASA.

"The X-70 Fractal gives NASA a crewed, high-performance platform to test advanced flight-control, maneuverability, and other cutting-edge technologies in real flight," said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman.

He said the aircraft is expected to make its first flight under the NASA banner within the next two years.

The X-70 has a takeoff weight of 4,536 kilograms and is designed to cruise at Mach 0.75, reach altitudes of up to 13.7 kilometers, and have an operational range exceeding 2,778 kilometers. These capabilities will enable NASA to conduct demanding flight research across a broad range of operating conditions. ■