NASA unveiled its newest experimental aircraft, the X-70 Fractal, during the UP.Summit at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Nov. 4, 2026.
The crewed research platform features rapidly reconfigurable flight-control technology designed to explore aircraft maneuverability in ways never before demonstrated in crewed flight, according to NASA officials. The aircraft can also accommodate up to 2,000 pounds of experimental payloads in both internal and external locations.
“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. “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. We expect her first flight under the NASA banner within the next two years.”
According to agency officials, the X-70 Fractal has a takeoff weight of 10,000 pounds, cruises at Mach .75, reaches altitudes of up to 45,000 feet, and provides an operational range of more than 1,725 miles.
For more information: NASA.gov
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