Maximumpete,
The NASA trial to which you refer was a 720 that was deliberately crashed (by remote control - it can be done!) to test the efficacy of AMK (Anti-Misting-Kerosene). The post-crash fire indicated that it wasn't that good, so back to the chemist's lab it was.
With regard to pilotless aircraft...
We all know it is technically feasible and has been for years. However, even I (and I've been know to try to wind flyboys and flygirls up
) would not wish to fly in a vehicle
sans pilote. There is that extra comfort added by knowing the dog is being fed!
