NASA Director Judd Isaacman recently presented a mysterious aircraft image in a public speech, hinting that NASA is preparing to revive the ambitious X aircraft research project.
According to the aviation magazine The Aviationist, published on September 23, Isaacman delivered a speech titled "A New Era of NASA and American Space Exploration" at the All-In Summit. In a slide titled "Rebuilding Our X Aircraft Portfolio," a dark-colored aircraft appeared from behind the clouds, its silhouette resembling the famous U.S. SR-71 Blackbird high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft.
During the interview after the speech, the host directly referred to this image as 'black bird'. Isaacman then asked, 'Are you sure that's a ‘black bird’?'
When the host asked what exactly the plane in the picture was, Isaacman did not answer directly. He simply said, “As I mentioned earlier, NASA is re-inventing technologies that allow for higher and faster flight.” He then emphasized that NASA has long been involved in aviation technology breakthroughs, including technologies like fly-by-wire control and thrust vectoring. He also criticized the use of some aviation budgets in the past to fund large contractors to make minor improvements to existing engines.
Isaacman said that he hopes NASA will reinvest resources into ‘radical design of aircraft and engines’, rather than paying for incremental improvements that companies have already undertaken with their commercial incentives.
According to reports, although the aircraft shown in the slide may not be the SR-71, if, as Isaacman said, this new X-plane would have the capability of “flying high and fast,” then there is indeed a deep historical connection between NASA and the SR-71 “Blackbird”. NASA also has a long history with the SR-71. In the past, NASA used the SR-71 as a platform for high-speed flight research, conducting studies in high-speed aerodynamics, propulsion, materials, instruments, and shock waves. The last flight of an SR-71 by NASA was in October 1999.
Currently, NASA's most representative X aircraft project is the X-59 QueSST. This aircraft was developed in collaboration between NASA and Lockheed Martin’s "Vulcan Plant". It is primarily used for studying low-noise supersonic flight and to provide data for future supersonic flight regulations over land. The X-59 made its maiden flight in October 2025, and completed its first supersonic flight on June 5, 2026. Its speed was approximately 1.1 Mach, with an altitude of about 43,400 feet.
However, Isaacman made it clear that the X-59 is just the “start” for NASA to reinvigorate experimental flight research. He said that NASA will work with the industry to continue breaking through the boundaries of aircraft and propulsion system design. “In no time, NASA will be able to fly at speeds and altitudes comparable to those of decades ago, or even higher.”
In May of this year, Isaacman asked for a re-examination of NASA’s investments in aviation, including research on more X aircraft, as well as the development of more advanced aircraft and engines to meet civil, commercial, and national security needs. The mysterious images of the aircraft shown at this summit were precisely those presented when he discussed these plans.
