Technically, compressed air is not the only option, as a plasma effectors and others methods can also be used to manipulate air flow. This contrasts with ‘passive’ permanent features of aircraft that affect airflow, such as vortex generators.

The idea behind active flow control is to use nozzles on the aircraft to blast jets of air that dynamically manipulate the pressure of the boundary air flowing around the plane, allowing the craft to execute maneuvers. The CRANE program’s manager, Richard Wlezien, has thus said that the X-plane may serve as a “national test asset” for a variety of other air flow control technologies that could hypothetically include, say, those developed for BAE System’s MAGMA drone. The design will be sufficiently modular to allow for the swapping in and out of different wings with different degrees of sweep and nozzles (“AFC effectuators”), including those devised by other companies. The quarter-size prototype reportedly had 14 nozzle banks. It also appears to have a dorsal (upper fuselage) intake and exhaust, possibly used to generate compressed air. Pictures suggest it will be propelled by a single jet engine with an intake under the belly. Due to begin testing in 2025, it reportedly will have wings spanning up to 30 feet and weighs 3.5 tons. However, according to Aurora, the current aircraft under construction-with components under assembly in Virginia, West Virginia, and Mississippi-is expect to attain only Mach. Why the X-Wing Is Such a Badass Spaceplane.

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