Aurora Flight Sciences (a Boeing company) is assembling the X-65 unmanned demonstrator for DARPA to collect flight-test data on active flow control — using jets of air or “air bursts” to effect pitch, roll and yaw instead of conventional flaps and rudders. The programme has slipped roughly two years, with a first flight now expected in late 2027.
Discovered |
Briefing
Active flow control (AFC) replaces traditional control surfaces with jets of air, a design shift that could reshape future airframe architectures and control-system integration; see the recent progress on other X‑plane demonstrators for context (NASA's X‑59 maiden flight).
The programme’s roughly two‑year slip to a late‑2027 first flight delays DARPA’s planned flight‑test data, affecting timelines for downstream autonomy and uncrewed systems development; compare scheduling dynamics with other recent unmanned demonstrators (Anduril's YFQ‑44).
Aurora is building the X‑65 as a Boeing company project, highlighting how prime contractors are consolidating uncrewed and experimental work while also accelerating separate large uncrewed efforts (Boeing’s CxR tiltrotor push).
Reported By
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No flaps, no rudder: DARPA’s X-65 moves toward flight tests • aerospaceglobalnews.com
DARPA’s X‑65 Advances Toward Flight Tests as Aurora’s X‑Plane Completes CDR • aerospaceglobalnews.com
DARPA's X-65 hypersonic test aircraft with 14 nozzles nears fuselage completion at Aurora's West Virginia plant • interestingengineering.com
Aurora Flight Sciences and DARPA Advance X-65 Active Flow Control Program for Military Aircraft • defenseadvancement.com
Two-Year Setback for DARPA X-Plane Utilizing Air Bursts for Steering • news.defcros.com
FlightGlobal
• Ryan Finnerty
Aurora X-65 to demonstrate active flow control in 2026 flights • Aerospace Manufacturing