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