Travolta as Bombardier Challenger 350 Test Pilot?

Say it ain't so, Batman! Please!

http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/ebace-convention-news/2013-05-21/test-pilot-travolta-puts-new-challenger-through-its-paces

Northrop-Grumman / USN Triton UAS Notches High Speed Taxi

It is interesting how a lot of different aspects of production, maintenance, international agreements, airspace management, and alternative ISR sources all come together around a single airframe.  For example, the story at the link below shows how civil airspace management issues on another continent can impact procurement decisions for U.S. military systems that don't even plan to go there.

http://www.uasvision.com/2013/05/21/triton-prepares-for-flight-trials/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+UasVision+(UAS+VISION)

Northrop-Grumman X-47B Takes Seaborne Catapult

Once upon a time the Navy had adopted a slogan "From the Sea".  The message was that it didn't matter where the target was because somewhere at sea is a presence close enough for today's Navy to reach out and touch it.  That has just gotten a little more true.  Not only can they reach you, but if the X-47 lives up to expectations, you likely won't ever know it unless they want you to.

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-navy-drone-catapult-20130515,0,2940039.story

Lockheed-Martin F-35 Flight Test Synopsis

The article at the link below is probably the single best location for a (slightly biased) rundown of progress on this huge test program.  A lot has happened in the last year, and the manufacturer wants you to know about it.

http://www.codeonemagazine.com/article.html?item_id=116

Northrop-Grumman X-47B Gets its First Trap

Shore-based, yes, but a critical step in getting started with sea trials.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/video.cfm?id=unmanned-attack-plane-passes-carrie2013-05-07

Remotely Piloted IAI Heron Transits Civil Airspace

We will see more and more of this type of flight.  The link below gives no indication that the aircraft was carrying or testing any new on-board systems, but apparently the control station was equipped with repeater displays piped in from Air Traffic Control.  Those familiar with flight at the altitudes mentioned will realize that everything up there is operating on an IFR clearance, so separation was essentially guaranteed by the controlling agency.  That fact is not intended to minimize the accomplishment - you have to walk before you can run - but the real tests will be in airspace that includes simulated "non-cooperating" VFR traffic.

http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/ain-defense-perspective/2013-05-10/uav-makes-test-flight-non-segregated-european-airspace

AFRL/Boeing/Pratt&Whitney X-51A Waverider Exceeds Mach 5

This program has repeatedly run into problems, losing several vehicles for various reasons, but it looks like they have now broken the code.  Those of you who have watched the hypersonic realm carefully may be unimpressed.  NASA took the scramjet-powered X-43 out to Mach 9.6 several years ago, so it is tempting to yawn at barely breaking through Mach 5.  But keep in mind that the objectives of the two vehicles are much different.  The X-43 was fairly large, while AFRL is trying to make hypersonics happen in a small-enough package to have some military value.  It looks as though they may be on the right track.

http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-hypersonic-x51-test-flight-20130503,0,6645524.story