DARPA Picks Boeing Subsidiary for X-Plane Development Project’s 2nd Phase

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has selected a Boeing (NYSE: BA) subsidiary to develop flight systems for an X-plane demonstrator aircraft designed to operate without the use of external mechanical controls.

Manassas, Virginia-based Aurora Flight Sciences will aim to complete detailed design, development and critical design review processes under phase two of the Control of Revolutionary Aircraft with Novel Effectors program, DARPA said Tuesday.

Aurora won a $42.2 million contract in December 2022 to mature flight software and controls of the experimental plane. The award includes an option to carry out phase three of CRANE.

DARPA expects to test a 7,000-pound X-plane in the third phase with the goal of validating AFC’s role in aircraft performance.

The demonstrator aircraft will include modular wing configurations to allow flight testing by DARPA and potential transition partners.