Boeing's Aurora Flight Sciences has been awarded Phases 2 and 3 of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)’s Control of Revolutionary Aircraft with Novel Effectors (CRANE) program. This latest award funds Phase 2 (detailed engineering design to create a full-scale version of Aurora’s X-plane candidate) for CRANE. The award also includes an option to build and fly the aircraft in Phase 3. Aurora’s X-plane candidate uses active flow control for flight control at tactical speeds and performance enhancement across the flight envelope. The experimental aircraft's configuration provides AFC testing for multiple wing sweeps using nozzle arrays located at the upper surface of each wing. The aircraft is configured to be a modular testbed with replaceable outboard wings and swappable AFC effectors. By expanding testing capabilities, the program advances its goal to provide confidence for future aircraft requirements, both military and commercial. Previously, Aurora completed phases 0 and 1 of DARPA’s CRANE program. In Phase 2, Aurora has begun detailed engineering design of its full-scale, 30-foott wingspan, 7,000 pounds gross weight, uncrewed X-plane. In phase 3, Aurora would build the X-plane at its facilities in Virginia, West Virginia and Mississippi. (Aurora 12/12/22) Aurora's Columbus, Miss., advanced manufacturing facility - located at the Golden Triangle Regional Airport - has more than 20,000 sf of space and technologies such as automated fiber placement. Latest Award Moves Aurora’s CRANE X-Plane Closer to Flight - Aurora Flight Sciences
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