RE: 'Flapless' plane
Many years ago a F-104 had a reaction control system for very high altitude flying. (not sure, but think that Chuck Yeager was almost killed on it). It worked very well and later was used in everything, from the X-15, space shuttle and now hypersonic drones..
The interesting thing on this one is that this is being used for low speed control, for the first time as far as I know.
Enrique