Engineered Propulsion Systems Diesel V-8 Flies

This represents a tough choice when it comes to testing.  The airframe is tried and true, with a horsepower requirement that is compatible, since it often flies with a turbocharged IO-550.  But a lot of the early flights will probably want to stay close to one of those famous Edwards lakebeds.  I think I would have been really tempted to find a Skymaster and hang the test engine on one end, with a tried and true engine on the other end.  But, hey, what do I know?

http://www.flyingmag.com/news/dick-rutan-pilots-first-test-flight-eps-diesel

Raytheon/USAF DDR Radar Tests on Proteus Testbed

At first glance, the article at the link below appears to be about as boring as can be, but there are actually some very interesting things going on here.  It re-demonstrates the continuing growth of systems testing, the value of commercial testbeds for getting that work done, the importance of a little-understood contributor to DOD research - the FFRDC - and something even more impressive, even if only to software pukes:  Probably the most important aspect of the article is the importance attached to the idea of having someone other than an original equipment manufacturer develop new software loads for an existing software-intensive system.  Despite the tongue-in-cheek "geek" logo at the top of the page, this is NOT a small deal.  If USAF figures this one out, it could eventually blow the doors off the cost of software upgrades.  Keep an eye on this one.

http://www.pddnet.com/news/2014/05/ddr-design-poised-serve-open-systems-architecture-pathfinder

Lockheed-Martin F-35 Sets Record Test Pace

While it isn't clear just how many aircraft are considered part of the Systems Development and Demonstration (SDD) fleet, nearly 300 hours in a month sounds pretty impressive.  Even if there were ten planes, flying each one nearly an hour and a half every weekday is not bad.  Anyone recall how many planes are in the SDD fleet?

http://australianaviation.com.au/2014/05/new-f-35-flight-test-milestone-for-april/

Navy Northrop-Grumman X-47B Still Progressing

What is most exciting to me about UAV testing events like the ones in the link below, is that they are, frankly, no longer very exciting.  We will continue to see more and more of this kind of work, especially since the FAA is opening several UAV test areas across the country to make the work easier to do.

http://www.defencetalk.com/navys-x-47b-program-ramps-up-flight-test-59477/

Augusta-Westland AW-609 is into Autorotation Testing

The plan has been flying now for quite a while, but the manufacturer still doesn't expect to be able to certify the plane for another three years!  That may say something about the difficulties of certifying the relatively new "powered lift" category of aircraft.  On the other hand, getting all manner of emergency landings figured out is a prudent step before doing a lot of airborne tests, so one would expect that this work would come well before the lion's share of other test points.  "Steady as she goes..." I guess.

http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/ainalerts/2014-04-29/aw609-tiltrotor-completes-autorotation-tests

UPDATE: Pratt&Whitney 1500G Test Engine for Bombardier C-Series Fire?

At the time the article below was published, everyone had stopped talking, which is typically a bad sign, especially when initial witness reports are subsequently recanted or disavowed.  Hard to tell as of this article what may have happened, but if I find something newer that provides more details you will see an update.

http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/Mishap+test+flight+under+investigation/9787709/story.html

UPDATE: The link below has a bit more information.  Apparently the engine that was being tested was not the version used in the C-Series, nor was it ever on fire, at least according to this report.  We will keep watching this one.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/30/united-tech-prattwhitney-fire-idUSL2N0NM1FV20140430

Chinese COMAC ARJ21-700 Completes Icing Tests

According to the article at the link below, the plane had to come to North America to perform natural icing tests because conditions in China could not be found that would satisfy certification requirements.  Once upon a time, the USAF operated a very versatile water-tanker that could simulate various icing conditions, but I don't think there is a similar asset in operation anymore.  Anyone aware of current icing test water-tankers' capabilities?

http://www.ecns.cn/business/2014/04-29/111643.shtml

Airbus E-Fan Electric Aircraft Flies

The Ducted Fan aircraft is based upon what appears to be an all-composite sailplane and is apparently intended to point the way to future low-emmisions GA products that Airbus may some day build.  Very little is given in the article at the link about the flight objectives or the propulsion system, and the video is carefully edited so that it is difficult to say anything at all about takeoff roll or acceleration.  All that is sure is that it has twin ducted fans and appears to fly.

http://www.evworld.com/news.cfm?newsid=32928