EADS / Northrop-Grumman Euro Hawk into Systems Test

Basically a proven airframe, although modified somewhat to suite the European customer, the aircraft is now beginning the real work of proving that the SIGINT systems and other black boxes can do what is required to get the mission done.  We're not likely to see much about the results unless there is a major technical or programmatic glitch.

http://www.eads.com/eads/int/en/news/press.20130111_cassidian_eurohawk.html

EMT / Swiss UAV Testing MUSECO Rotary Drone

I'm a veteran of a number of manned platforms, and a true fan of manned flight, but ignoring the increasing military and economic importance of unmanned and automated platforms will not make them go away.  Here is another to add to your list.

http://www.uasvision.com/2013/01/08/first-test-flight-for-emtswiss-uav-s-museco-unmanned-helicopter/

Chinese Y-20 Transport First Flight?

The story at the link below may already be OBE, but it contains some interesting analysis about the implications of the development of this airplane.  About the size of an IL-76, it represents a significant jump in that it is not just a  "knock off" of someone else's design.

http://thediplomat.com/2013/01/08/limited-liftoff-looming-y-20-transport-prepares-for-1st-test-flight/

 



Test Pilot Students are Doing the Real Thing

An interesting story at the link below describes the kind of real-world flight tests that a recent class of Test Pilot School students performed.  This is not just fluff.  As a former Deputy Commandant of the USAF Test Pilot School, I can tell you that the services are wringing every last dollar out of their training by putting them to work answering real-world questions while they train.  An interesting list of projects is provided in the article, and while the risk is generally low, it is NOT zero.

http://www.edwards.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123330597

UPDATE: Virgin Galactic / Scaled Composites SpaceShipTwo Now Configured for Boosted Flight

SpaceShipTwo is back in the air.  Judging from the story at the second link, it looks like the plane has had an engine installed along with associated hardware, to confirm the aerodynamics and center of gravity.  Oddly, an FAA N-number inquiry still lists the craft as a glider, which is normal for a motorglider, but (if you want to get technical) it should also list engine type for when it is dropped as a motorglider for a powered flight.  In any case, it looks as though we are getting close to lighting that bad-boy off, so stay tuned!

http://www.virgingalactic.com/news/item/spaceshiptwo-completes-first-glide-in-powered-flight-configuration/

http://www.space.com/18994-virgin-galactic-spaceshiptwo-flight-test.html

A few more details are offered at this third link.  Apparently the team is looking at a modified approach and landing profile.  2013 light-off?

http://zeenews.india.com/news/space/virgin-galactic-s-spaceshiptwo-passes-key-flight-test_818506.html

Boeing Bakes Potatoes... Very Slowly

This story has almost nothing to do with flight test, but I couldn't resist.

(Boeing Photo, courtesy of CNN)

http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/19/travel/potatoes-wireless/index.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_topstories+(RSS%3A+Top+Stories)

NASA Dryden Research F-18 Advances Aero Efficiency

The airlines are so desparate for fuel savings that aerodynamic changes to airframes that result in only 1 or 2 percent fuel savings are considered worthwhile investments.  But given that more and more aircraft are being fitted with fly-by-wire flight controls, this ongoing work at Dryden could open the door to those kinds of efficiency improvements by only changing a few ones and zeroes in the flight control computers.  This stuff won't get you a Kinchloe, but it will be very exciting to the ultimate customer.

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2012/12/nasa-f18-fuel-burn-research/