Testbeds

Latest in Testbeds

As if it didn’t have a distinctive enough look already, Boeing’s remarkable 757 Flying Test Bed — better known as “The Catfish” due to its unique and highly modified nose profile — has got some striking new colors. The red, white, and blue scheme is a direct reference to the livery this very same aircraft originally wore, as the prototype for the 757 family.

Boeing’s 757 ‘Catfish’ Flying F-22 Avionics Testbed Emerges With Retro Look

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Oct 22, 2024
The U.S. Air Force is interested in adding an active electronically-scanned array (AESA) radar to its X-62A test jet. The radar is part of larger plans to acquire a new modular sensor suite for the uniquely modified F-16 specifically to help expand its ability to support advanced autonomy developments.

New Radar Sought To Help X-62A Test Jet Take Next Leap In Autonomy Testing

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Sep 24, 2024
The War Zone delved into the digital engineer and advanced manufacturer techniques behind the stealthy Model 437 Vanguard aircraft, and more, an interview with Colin Miller, Vice President for Engineering within Northrop Grumman's aeronautics sector.

Everything We Just Learned About The Model 437 Vanguard Technology Demonstrator Jet

By Tyler Rogoway, Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Aug 30, 2024
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

By Oliver Parken
Posted on May 29, 2024
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

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway
Posted on Apr 24, 2024
Supersonic testbed XB-1 on its first flight, March 22, 2024

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

By Oliver Parken
Posted on Mar 23, 2024
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

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway
Posted on Mar 8, 2024
ermeus has completed testing of its first fully-integrated vehicle, Quarterhorse Mk 0.

‘Iron Bird’ Rig For Quarterhorse Hypersonic Jet Completes Tests

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Jan 4, 2024
Royal Australian Navy's Ghost Shark drone submarine

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

By Emma Helfrich
Posted on Dec 14, 2022
J-10D Big Spine

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

By Tyler Rogoway, Emma Helfrich
Posted on Jul 19, 2022
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

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway
Posted on Jun 9, 2022
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
Updated on Feb 23, 2022
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
Updated on Dec 23, 2021
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
Updated on Oct 28, 2021
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
Updated on Sep 10, 2021
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
Updated on Aug 4, 2021