NASA has unveiled the X-70 Fractal, a new experimental crewed aircraft designed to test advanced flight control and modular payload technology. The agency made the announcement on November 4, 2026, at the UP.Summit event held at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman previewed the new X-plane.
The aircraft is built around a modular design, allowing both internal and external payloads to be swapped out quickly between missions. It is designed to cruise at Mach 0.75 and fly as high as 45,000 feet. According to the fact sheet tied to the announcement, it can cover a range of roughly 1,500 nautical miles and has a takeoff weight of about 10,000 pounds. Up to 2,000 pounds of that weight is reserved for experimental payloads, giving researchers room to carry specialized equipment.
NASA says the X-70 is meant to push maneuverability beyond what previous crewed aircraft have achieved. Candidate technologies include shape adaptation and active flow control, although the specific tests planned for the aircraft have not been confirmed. The first flight under NASA's banner is expected within two years. Many design details remain unclear, including the engine count, inlet configuration, wing planform, and whether the aircraft will use thrust vectoring, since the released image is labeled as generated content.
Isaacman also hinted at a separate project connected to the Max Power Airshow, referring to cleanup work on SR-71 Blackbird number 844. That effort was not described as the new X-plane, and the agency has not provided further details on it.
Credit. Based on reporting by Stefano D'Urso for The Aviationist. Is this your work? Write to us.
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