Testbeds

Latest in Testbeds

Experimental Alpha Draco hypersonic boost-glide vehicle preparing for launch, 1959.

Alpha Draco Paved The Way In The Late 1950s For Future Hypersonic Boost-Glide Vehicles Alpha Draco Paved The Way In The Late 1950s For Future Hypersonic Boost-Glide Vehicles

By Oliver Parken

May 29 6:00 PM EDT

Additional details about a breakthrough autonomous dogfight in September 2023 underscore significant challenges still to be addressed.

Next Big Challenge For AI Dogfighting Is Keeping Track Of Enemies Up Close Next Big Challenge For AI Dogfighting Is Keeping Track Of Enemies Up Close

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Apr 24 2:59 PM EDT

Supersonic testbed XB-1 on its first flight, March 22, 2024

Boom’s XB-1 Supersonic Test Jet Takes To The Skies Boom’s XB-1 Supersonic Test Jet Takes To The Skies

By Oliver Parken

Mar 23 2:50 PM EDT

An intriguing video has been doing the rounds on social media recently, showing the wind-tunnel testing of a French future fighter concept, a tailless jet fitted with prominent leading-edge vortex controllers, or LEVCONs.

Su-57 Felon Feature Appears On French Future Tailless Fighter Concept Su-57 Felon Feature Appears On French Future Tailless Fighter Concept

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Mar 8 5:06 PM EST

ermeus has completed testing of its first fully-integrated vehicle, Quarterhorse Mk 0.

‘Iron Bird’ Rig For Quarterhorse Hypersonic Jet Completes Tests ‘Iron Bird’ Rig For Quarterhorse Hypersonic Jet Completes Tests

By Thomas Newdick

Jan 4 4:46 PM EST

Royal Australian Navy's Ghost Shark drone submarine

This Is Australia’s Testbed For Its Upcoming ‘Ghost Shark’ Unmanned Combat Submarines This Is Australia’s Testbed For Its Upcoming ‘Ghost Shark’ Unmanned Combat Submarines

By Emma Helfrich

Dec 14 4:13 PM EST

J-10D Big Spine

China’s J-10 Fighter Spotted In New ‘Big Spine’ Configuration (Updated) China’s J-10 Fighter Spotted In New ‘Big Spine’ Configuration (Updated)

By Tyler Rogoway, Emma Helfrich

Jul 18 9:32 PM EDT

A picture of a unique and highly-modified Boeing 727 that Raytheon uses as testbed, with an inset showing online flight tracking data regarding an unusual flight the aircraft performed around the islands of Saipan and Tinian in the western Pacific in June 2022.

Radar-Toting 727 Testbed “Voodoo 1” Appears Over Saipan Radar-Toting 727 Testbed “Voodoo 1” Appears Over Saipan

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Jun 8 9:54 PM EDT

Digital Shadow Will Insert Northrop Grumman’s CRJ Testbed Aircraft Into The Virtual Realm

Digital Shadow Will Insert Northrop Grumman’s CRJ Testbed Aircraft Into The Virtual Realm Digital Shadow Will Insert Northrop Grumman’s CRJ Testbed Aircraft Into The Virtual Realm

By Tyler Rogoway

Feb 23 4:23 PM EST

NASA’s X-59 Quiet Supersonic Test Jet Spotted On A Trailer Heading To Texas

NASA’s X-59 Quiet Supersonic Test Jet Spotted On A Trailer Heading To Texas NASA’s X-59 Quiet Supersonic Test Jet Spotted On A Trailer Heading To Texas

By Joseph Trevithick

Dec 23 3:05 PM EST

This Is A Great Comparison Between General Atomics’ Avenger Drone Configurations

This Is A Great Comparison Between General Atomics’ Avenger Drone Configurations This Is A Great Comparison Between General Atomics’ Avenger Drone Configurations

By Joseph Trevithick and Tyler Rogoway

Oct 28 1:52 PM EDT

This Gonzo-Looking Regional Jet Just Put The F-16’s New Radar To The Test

This Gonzo-Looking Regional Jet Just Put The F-16’s New Radar To The Test This Gonzo-Looking Regional Jet Just Put The F-16’s New Radar To The Test

By Tyler Rogoway

Sep 9 9:00 PM EDT

Retired Marine C-9B Jet Transport Is Getting Second Life As An Air Force Sensor Testbed

Retired Marine C-9B Jet Transport Is Getting Second Life As An Air Force Sensor Testbed Retired Marine C-9B Jet Transport Is Getting Second Life As An Air Force Sensor Testbed

By Joseph Trevithick

Aug 3 8:35 PM EDT

Highly Modified Air Force Test Pilot School F-16 Is Now An X-Plane

Highly Modified Air Force Test Pilot School F-16 Is Now An X-Plane Highly Modified Air Force Test Pilot School F-16 Is Now An X-Plane

By Joseph Trevithick

Jul 31 4:23 PM EDT

These Are The Best Images Yet Of “RAT 55,” The World’s Most Secretive 737

These Are The Best Images Yet Of “RAT 55,” The World’s Most Secretive 737 These Are The Best Images Yet Of “RAT 55,” The World’s Most Secretive 737

By Tyler Rogoway

Jun 8 1:13 AM EDT

Airbus C295 Transport Testbed Emerges Loaded With Turkish Guided Bombs

Airbus C295 Transport Testbed Emerges Loaded With Turkish Guided Bombs Airbus C295 Transport Testbed Emerges Loaded With Turkish Guided Bombs

By Thomas Newdick

Feb 19 4:43 PM EST