What We Know About the X-70 Fractal, NASA’s Newest X-Plane

Agency says its designed to accelerate experimental testing of advanced and emerging aviation technologies.

Jack Daleo

Friday, November 06, 2026 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

NASA shared the above ‘generated image’ of its new X-70 Fractal experimental X-plane. [Credit: NASA]

Key Takeaways:

NASA unveiled its latest X-plane program, the X-70 Fractal, aimed at accelerating experimental testing of advanced aviation technologies and exploring aircraft maneuverability.
The X-70 is described as a crewed, highly adaptable research platform with reconfigurable flight control systems, capable of carrying payloads up to 2,000 pounds, and is expected to make its first flight within two years.
This announcement signifies a renewed commitment by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman to expand the agency's X-plane portfolio, signaling an "X-plane renaissance" for aeronautics research.

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NASA on Wednesday unveiled its latest X-plane program, which the space agency said is designed to accelerate experimental testing of advanced and emerging aviation technologies.

Unveiled Wednesday during the UP.Summit at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the X-70 Fractal will make its first flight in the next two years, Administrator Jared Isaacman said in a news release. Isaacman last week teased the announcement and said that soon “there will be more X-planes” to come.