In brief
NASA showed its newest experimental aircraft, the X‑70 Fractal, at a summit in Florida. The crewed platform can carry 907 kg of payload and is slated for flight testing within two years. The aircraft is built to cruise at Mach 0.75, reach 13.7 km altitude, and cover more than 2,778 km.
NASA unveiled its latest experimental aircraft, the X‑70 Fractal, during a summit at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on 5 November 2026, according to a Xinhua news report. The crewed platform is designed to advance flight‑control and maneuverability research.
The X‑70’s specifications include a takeoff weight of 4,536 kg, a cruise speed of Mach 0.75, a ceiling of 13.7 km, and an operational range exceeding 2,778 km. It can carry up to 907 kg of experimental payloads in both internal and external locations.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said the X‑70 gives the agency a crewed, high‑performance platform to test advanced flight‑control, maneuverability, and other cutting‑edge technologies in real flight. He added the aircraft is expected to make its first flight under NASA banner within the next two years.
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.
Space.com echoed the statement, noting that the X‑70 will provide NASA with a high‑performance platform for testing advanced flight‑control systems. The Space.com article was published more than 12 hours prior to the NASA press release.
