DARPA X-plane with revolutionary controls hits new milestone
The demonstrator aircraft is expected to have modular wing configurations that enable future integration of new technologies for flight testing. (Photo: Aurora Flight Sciences)
The CRANE project exploring active-flow control technologies could contribute to developing extremely low-observable aircraft in the future.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has selected Aurora Flight Sciences, a Boeing subsidiary, to move into Phase 2, the detailed design phase of the Control of Revolutionary Aircraft with Novel Effectors (CRANE) programme.
At the project’s heart, there is an experimental aircraft without traditional moving surfaces to control it in flight, instead using active-flow control (AFC) – short bursts of air.
‘Over the past several decades, the active-flow control community has made significant advancements that enable the integration of active-flow control technologies into advanced aircraft,’ CRANE programme manager Richard Wlezien said in a statement.
‘We are confident about
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 1 free story per week
- Personalised news alerts
- Daily and weekly newsletters
- Free magazine subscription to all our titles
- Downloadable equipment data handbooks
- Distribution rights (Corporate only)
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
- 10-year news archive access
- Downloadable equipment data handbooks
- Distribution rights (Corporate only)
More from Air Warfare
-
![Turkish Air Force tanker modernisation effort completed ahead of schedule]()
Turkish Air Force tanker modernisation effort completed ahead of schedule
US contractor Field Aerospace has finished upgrading the Turkish Air Force's Boeing KC-135R tanker fleet flight decks to Block 45 configuration.
-
![Iran turns to Russia to modernise fighter jet fleet]()
Iran turns to Russia to modernise fighter jet fleet
As Iranian drones equip Russian forces in ever-increasing numbers, Su-35 fighter jets will soon be heading in the opposite direction as Tehran urgently seeks modern air combat capabilities.
-
![Electra develops eSTOL pre-production prototype for US Air Force]()
Electra develops eSTOL pre-production prototype for US Air Force
The Virginia-based aerospace company has received a strategic funding injection of up to $85m to mature its eSTOL technology for the US Air Force.
-
![HAWC missile completes flight trials as focus turns to maturing hypersonic technology]()
HAWC missile completes flight trials as focus turns to maturing hypersonic technology
Completion of HAWC flight testing means the US has two viable hypersonic missile designs that can be matured into future programmes of record.
