North Dakota State University Opening Skies for UAV Flight Testing

Okay, I admit it: the title is a bit of a misnomer.  UAVs have been flown in a lot of places, including FAA-controlled airspace, for years.  What is getting started in North Dakota is not really about testing the UAVs.  Most of the vehicles that will start populating the skies in the test areas are proven airframes.  The objective of the "tests" is mostly to prove out avoidance procedures and systems to be sure that the drones can be kept away from other traffic.  This is incredibly difficult stuff.  A lot of very smart people have been trying to crack this nut for at least 10 years, and every hammer that has come down on it so far has shattered.  The fact that the FAA set up no less than six official testing sites should tell you that there are likely several years ahead of us before anyone is allowed to regularly mix unescorted, untethered UAVs with other traffic.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/apr/21/faa-nds-drone-test-site-ready-for-operations/

Cessna Citation Team Adds Flight Test Airframe

The article at the link below seems innocuous, but one small item raised my eyebrow.  Is it really possible that ALL flutter testing has been completed in the first 65 hours of testing?  That's moving right along, if you ask me, but maybe I am out of touch with the latest business aviation test approaches.  Anybody know if Citation flutter is really complete, or did the reporter confuse flutter testing with ground vibration testing in support of flutter?

http://www.bizjournals.com/wichita/news/2014/04/17/second-wichita-built-citation-latitude-test.html

USAF B-1B Testers Outline Software Test Process

Bombers seem to fly forever, and I think the main reason is that there is plenty of room for upgrades to offensive and defensive systems.  (Ever compare the nose of today's B-52 with that of early models?)  Looks like the Bone will be no different, but what is a bit different about the article at the link below is that it provides a glimpse of their process for bringing those new systems online.  Kind of interesting.

http://www.edwards.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123406829

Textron Airland Scorpion Clearing Flight Envelope

The new plane, built as a joint venture and intended for the light-attack and/or ISR market, has logged 50+ hours so far.  The picture at the link below leaves me quizzical, though.  It has lots of room on the wing for muntions, so I get the light-attack, but there doesn't look like there is a lot of room for the radar, which would presumably be AESA to optimize it for the ISR role.  The sad fact of life is that the "built on spec" fighter is basically an "unsolicited proposal" on steroids.  Northrop tried that with the F-20 about 30 years ago, and all it succeeded in doing was forcing General Dynamics to hold the line on F-16 Air Defense Fighter bid costs.  Good luck with this, Cessna...

http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/ain-defense-perspective/2014-04-15/textron-airland-scorpion-logs-50-flight-test-hours

Saab Testing Gripen E IRST System

Systems tests continue to take the spotlight.  The claims associated with this new infra-red search and track system are pretty bold: "...identify all types of targets..."?  I have a bit of experience with radar systems, but an IRST that is able to identify targets by type would be quite an addition for the air-to-air role.  In clear weather, such a system (with enough range) could eliminate the stealth advantage if the aircraft also carries a long-range heat-seeking missile that the IRST can cue.

http://blogs.ottawacitizen.com/2014/04/12/new-sensor-to-be-added-to-gripen-e-first-test-flight-successful/

Bombardier's Learjet 85 Completes First Flight

The article at the link below provides names of the entire crew.  At over two hours, the flight was significantly longer than your typical first flight, and given the areas of the flight envelope that were cleared, it apparently included raising the landing gear as well.

http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news14/104-Learjet85.shtml

Cirrus Vision SF-50 Personal Jet Begins Certification

Sort of a cross between developmental and production flight test, the first certification airframe has now gotten airborne.  The article mentions plans for some level of performance flight test as part of this process.  Okay, but hopefully the developomental work has already answered most of those questions.

http://www.onlineamd.com/cirrus-vision-sf50-first-flight-cwertification-032914.aspx

Northrop-Grumman's MQ-4C Triton Completes Envelope Expansion Work

I wonder just how big the new envelope is?  There are a few interesting statistics regarding the envlope expansion program in the story at the link below.  Early systems testing will take place on surrogate airframes.

http://www.thebaynet.com/news/index.cfm/fa/viewstory/story_ID/36102

India Acquiring Do-228 to Perform Systems Flight Test

This is an excellent example of what is driving flight testing more and more: Systems Testing.  The fact that purchase and outfitting of a dedicated systems testbed seems to make sense to more and more countries shows just how much this type of test is taking center-stage when it comes to adding capabilities to an aircraft fleet.

http://www.newindianexpress.com/defence/DRDO-Set-to-Acquire-New-Flight-Test-Bed/2014/03/18/article2114659.ece

Korea Aerspace Industries Flew 1st KT-1P For Export to Peru

This first flight took place several weeks ago but I missed it at the time. The light attack aircraft will be assembled largely in Peru.

(Photo Credit: Technologia Militar)

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/yonhap-news-agency/140219/kai-successfully-completes-first-flight-test-kt-1p-trainer-p