Diamond DA-42 Fly-By-Wire?

So far I haven't found any details on the results of these tests, but reports are that Diamond has already flown a fly-by-wire version of their DA-42 twin and has set their sights on certification.  Just like Embraer (discussed in an earlier post) I think this could cause a major paradigm-shift across the industry.  Let's see where it goes!

(Photo courtesy golfhotelwhiskey.com)



http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/diamond-tests-fly-by-wire-on-da42-380035/

Airbus A400M May Reach IOC in Early 2013

After 300+ hours and over 50 sorties in the "ilities" phase of testing (reliability, supportability, deployability, maintainability, etc) it looks as though the Grizzly has gotten over its growing pains in the area of propulsion.  Counter-rotating props on both wings?  Interesting.

http://www.shephardmedia.com/news/mil-log/a400m-completes-fr-flight-test-phase/

Northrop-Grumman X-47B UAV Inches Toward Carrier Trials

It turns out that the team has just completed the initial ground-based catapult launches.

http://www.militaryaerospace.com/articles/2012/12/x47b-drone-catapult.html

Sikorsky Delivers CH-53K GVT Vehicle

Sikorsky has delivered the first prototype, a ground test article, to the test team.  While it will probably never get airborne, its arrival is still a major adrenaline rush for the team, because it says "This is real!"  The program is no longer vaporware, and the test team will certainly be crawling all over this GVT bird as they prepare for flight test.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/sikorsky-delivers-first-ch-53k-prototype-heavy-lift-helicopter-to-flight-test-team-2012-12-04

Dassault Neuron UAV makes Maiden Flight

I guess this one is intended as a stealth technology demonstrator, and yes, it looks very familiar.  But like the DC-8 and the B-707, the mission and the available technology together pretty much dictate the ultimate configuration.

http://news.softpedia.com/news/First-European-Stealth-Drone-Makes-Test-Flight-311569.shtml

Northrop-Grumman X-47B Prepares for Shipboard Trials

While this won't be the first unmanned aircraft to operate from a carrier, this one is starting to get pretty big, and will be coming aboard with a lot more kinetic energy that many previous UAVs.  It should be exciting since it will be autonomous.  The good news is that ground trials must have shown pretty stable behavior to make the team feel ready to hoist it on-board ship.

http://www.cbs8.com/story/20197640/combat-drone-takes-first-test-flight-off-aircraft-carrier

Augusta-Westland Adds third AW169 test Aircraft

I've never been a rotary-wing tester, but with two aircraft flying since this past summer, 100 hours total time to date feels a little low to me unless there have been some technical surprises.  Any of you rotary-wing guys out there have a different take?

http://www.shephardmedia.com/news/rotorhub/aw169-continues-successful-flight-test-programme/