Skunk Works’ X-56A Poised To Become World’s First Digitally-Certified Aircraft | Aviation

Some aspects of the X-56A drone’s design, such as the landing gear systems and cameras, will be modified to demonstrate that a digital model can be reliably certified for flight before the physical aircraft is built.

The Flyer Øne initiative, named in homage to the Wright Brothers, aims to develop a digital-first, fixed-wing unmanned aircraft. The program will create and flight-certify a digital twin of an aircraft before it’s physically built, setting a new standard for speed and innovation in aerospace development.

Last year, the United States Air Force Research Laboratory awarded Istari Digital, Inc. a $19 million contract to secure the world’s first airworthiness certification.

After a year of speculation about the industry partner involved, Istari Digital revealed that the program will modify the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works X-56A to achieve the first digital flight release. The news was made public after the the project successfully passed the Critical Design Review (CDR), a crucial step towards achieving the first digital flight release.

The X-56A, is a modular uncrewed aerial vehicle, originally developed by Lockheed Martin Skunk Works for the Air Force and NASA to push the boundaries of high-altitude, long-endurance flight. With a 7.5-foot fuselage and a 27.5-foot wingspan, the X-56A has…