Systems Flight Test: USAF TPS to Re-Focus?

There is little doubt that systems testing forms the bulk of flight test these days.  Technology advances faster evey year, and new capabilities can be brought to bear using ones and zeroes much more quickly than by cutting metal.  The fact that a former electronic warfare officer and a recent F-22 tester have been tapped to upgrade the TPS approach to systems testing says a lot about the capabilities that the USAF thinks will be under development in near-future black boxes.  Interesting stuff!

http://www.edwards.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123339064

Bombardier Rolls Out C-Series Test Vehicle

They are not expecting to fly until this coming June, but having actual hardware on the ramp has to be a major milestone.  The information at the link below is mostly market-related, but it may be interesting if you have a dog in the commercial airline hunt.

http://atwonline.com/aircraft-engines-components/news/bombardier-rolls-out-cseries-test-aircraft-launches-extra-capacity-?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AtwDailyNews+(ATW+Daily+News)

Scaled/Virgin SpaceShipTwo Rocket Motor Testing

Richard Branson seems to think that the first powered flight is coming pretty soon.  Of course he has made noises like this before, but if I were preparing for the first use in flight, I would have a full-up, production-representative motor with all the latest modifications on the test pad within a few weeks of my planned flight.  But hey... what do I know?

http://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/news/2013/03/05/virgin-galactic-test-spaceshiptwo-rocket.html

Calgary Firm Tests Bell 407 with Honeywell HTS900 Engine

If you have a motorcycle, eventually you'll be lusting after a bigger one.  If you have a computer, you'll want one with more speed and memory.  For helos, you always want better "High and Hot" performance.  Apparently Eagle Copters is trying to help you get there with an engine upgrade to this line of aircraft.

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/heli-expo-eagle-copters-begins-testing-new-engine-in-bell-407-383091/

UMD Inches Closer to Sikorsky Prize

The students at University of Maryland are so close to winning the $250,000 Sikorsky prize that they can probably taste it!  The challenge of staying airborne for a full minute and reaching 3 meters while doing it has proven amazingly tough, but they are close!  The video is almost as inspiring as watching the olympics.

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2013/02/gamera-ii-sikorsky-prize/

Boeing's Phantom Eye Flying Again after Landing Mishap

Trying to make secondary systems as light as possible always involves some risk.  Apparently the nose gear dug into the Edwards lakebed on the first flight last summer.  That problem has been solved, according the the story at the link below, and the plane recently had a successful second flight.  The launch cart is dorky looking, but it is a pretty effective way to save weight and complexity.  The X-15 also landed on skids with only a nose wheel.

http://defense-update.com/20130227_phantom_eye-3.html

 

(Photo Credit: Boeing, via defense-update.com)

 



Korean KUH-1 Surian Helicopter Cold Weather Trials

It is pretty unusual to see a Korean test team climb off a Russian transport to perform flight test of a military aircraft at a U.S test facility.  A short blurb part way down this link tells a bit about what was accomplished.  Cranking up after cold soaking at -42 is no small accomplishment.  Lots of pictures.

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?223596-Surion-undergoes-flight-test-in-Alaska-at-42-C