Full-scale X-plane to demonstrate active flow control actuators

The award is Phase 3 of DARPA’s Control of Revolutionary Aircraft with Novel Effectors (CRANE) program.

For flight control, the X-65 will use jets of air from a pressurised source to shape the flow of air over the aircraft surface, with AFC effectors on several surfaces to control the plane’s roll, pitch, and yaw. Eliminating external moving parts is expected to reduce weight and complexity and to improve performance.

“The X-65 is a technology demonstrator, and it’s distinctive, diamond-like wing shape is designed to help us maximise what we can learn about AFC in full-scale, real-world tests,” Dr Richard Wlezien, DARPA’s program manager for CRANE, said in a statement.

The X-65 will be built with two sets of control actuators – traditional flaps and rudders plus AFC effectors embedded across all the lifting surfaces, thereby minimising risk and maximising the program’s insight into control effectiveness. The plane’s performance with traditional control surfaces will serve as a baseline with successive tests selectively locking down moving surfaces and using AFC effectors instead.