P-8A Poseidon Tests ITT Compressed Air Weapons Release System

Using compressed air rather than explosive cartridges could simplify a lot of ground ops associated with weapons loading.  It's not clear whether the air is provided in pre-charged cyliders, or if it is generated on-board.  Either way, it is certain to add weight as compared to the current approach, both in the air source, as well as at the ejector foot, which will probably have to be bigger to give the same ejection velocity.  For planes like the P-8, there is probably ample weight budget to work with, but not so for fighters or helos.  Sounds interesting.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/itt-exelis-ejection-system-successfully-completes-first-airborne-weapons-separation-test-2012-03-19

Cessna Will Try a Streamlined M2 Test Program

Already moving on to engine relights at altitude, the M2 test team plans to take less time and use fewer test assets than is typical for similar bizjet test programs.  Getting stuff to market fast and keeping test costs down makes good business sense, but only if the team can be darn sure that they will catch potential problems.  A lot of folks belkieve that the concurrency approach used by the F-35 team is part of the reason for serious structural and software issues surfacing late in that program.

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=busav&id=news/bav/2012/03/19/05.xml&headline=Cessna%20Launches%20M2%20Flight%20Test%20Program

Boeing PhantomEye UAV Approaching First Flight

NASA/DOD UAV flight test partnerships seem to be the norm these days.  A couple years back NASA Dryden worked with Aerovironment to test another hydrogen-powered long-endurance high-altitude UAV.  That project proved that UAV flight testing can be every bit as challenging as manned flight test.  Let's see how this one goes.

http://www.defpro.com/news/details/33308/?SID=585da46c87dd1597971378e0800ebdb3

Cessna Citation M2 Is Now Flying

The Mustang Two had its very first flight.  This is always an exciting (and tense) moment for the crew as well as the company.  Current projections are that the business aircraft market will begin to pick up in the next 18 months.  Hopefully a few flights under their belts will put Cessna in line for expanded orders for the new plane.

http://corpjetfin.live.subhub.com/articles/Citation_M2_first_flight_201

Tejas LCA Moving from DT Into Production Test

As the configurations mature and production standards firm up, the tests performed on vehicle first flights are taking on more of a "production flight test" look.

(Photo Credit: Indian Defence Review)



http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-03-09/news/31139837_1_maiden-flight-national-flight-test-centre-test-director

Navy Testers Honored for "Pushing the Envelope"

These superstars represent multiple disciplines, and their work affects fighters, heavies, helicopters, flight instruction,... the whole gamut.  The flight test community is a tough place to impress anybody, because everybody involved is so good.  Congrats!

http://www.thebaynet.com/news/index.cfm/fa/viewstory/story_ID/26514

Gulfstream G-650 Moves Toward Certification

The link below provides a short rundown of what has been completed recently as the plane fills the last remaning squares in preparation for FAA certification.  It has been a long, sometimes traumatic program, but results appear promising.

http://savannahnow.com/exchange/2012-03-02/gulfstream-g650-getting-ready-final-testing