A sleek, unidentified airframe recently drew the attention of photographers at Long Beach Airport. Aviation photographer Ricky Schol captured images of the aircraft emerging from a hangar, noting the vehicle lacked a cockpit and possessed a unique silhouette. The airframe has since been identified as the Aevum Ravn X, an autonomous system designed for orbital space launches.
Program Context and Observations
The Ravn X was first unveiled in 2020 as a mothership platform for two-stage rockets. With a wingspan of 60 feet and a length of 80 feet, the drone is intended to function as an autonomous first stage. While the unit spotted at Long Beach bears the FAA N-number N567RX, it appears to be a mockup rather than a flight-ready prototype.
Witnesses reported the vehicle was moved onto the runway briefly, though no engine activity or exhaust was detected. While previous reports suggested the program had stalled, this appearance indicates that Aevum Aerospace may still be conducting ground-level testing. The company previously outlined goals for achieving FAA airworthiness certification, though updates on the project have been sparse in recent years.