Register

NASA Plans New X-Plane, But It’s ‘Not the One You’re Thinking of’

Administrator Jared Isaacman said the space agency plans to reveal a new project at its upcoming Max Power expo and airshow.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman appears at Senate hearing in 2025
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman appears before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation in 2025. [Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman is set to unveil a new X-plane project at the Max Power expo, explicitly stating it is not the previously speculated SR-71-inspired aircraft.
  • This announcement aligns with Isaacman's broader initiative to significantly expand NASA's X-plane portfolio, restore internal flight-test capabilities, and increase in-house development.
  • NASA is also prioritizing the X-59 supersonic demonstrator, increasing its flight cadence and preparing to take full control of its testing for future acoustic validation flights over cities.
See a mistake? Contact us.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman has revealed that the space agency intends to unveil a new X-plane project at its upcoming Max Power expo and airshow, scheduled for Friday through Sunday.

“We will announce a new X-plane…and it is not the one you’re thinking of,” Isaacman said during an episode of NASASpaceFlight’s The Flame Trench podcast that streamed on YouTube Friday.

Jack Daleo

Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.

Ready to Sell Your Aircraft?

List your airplane on AircraftForSale.com and reach qualified buyers.

List Your Aircraft
AircraftForSale Logo | FLYING Logo
Pilot in aircraft
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox.

SUBSCRIBE