Isolated Store Loads

Introduction

Isolated stores are items which are separated from a parent aircraft and range from fuel tanks and missiles to ejector seats, deployed parachutes and flight refuelling probes. Understanding of the aerodynamic loads on these stores is required for many purposes which depend on the nature of the store; examples include  the development of flight control systems for a missile or to ensure the safety of an ejector seat.

The Role of Wind Tunnels

Wind tunnels can be used for full scale and near full scale testing of isolated stores in a controlled environment prior to flight test. For stores with complicated airflows wind tunnels can provide large quantities of high quality data to validate numerical simulations.

World Class Capability

ARA offers a one-stop service for customers starting with the design and manufacture of stores and balances followed by gauging and calibration of balances and finishing with a test program in our Transonic Wind Tunnel. We have a world leading capability in the manufacture of stores, support mechanisms and balances completed to the very highest standards including the installation and use of remote control systems which reconfigure stores live during a test. We also have a wide range of supports and balances which are available to our customers.

A Wealth of Experience

We have considerable experience of testing isolated stores and other articles over many years – including missiles, parachutes, refuelling probes and ejector seats.

Excellent Value and Productivity

Our highly experienced test teams deliver excellent test program management combined with rapid model reconfiguration to a superb standard to provide our customers with an efficient and productive service which provides excellent value. Store models may incorporate remotely controlled panels such as canards and fins to further improve productivity.

Data Acquisition and Processing

Customers who test with us can take advantage of our proven and flexible data acquisition and processing capability. We offer seamless integration of customer supplied code and programs into our in-house data processing suite. Real-time processing and display of data allows our customers to make quick decisions based on a reliable data set and adapt their test program as required. This enables a more efficient use of tunnel time creating better value for our customers.

Assured Security of Model and Data

When testing with us, the security of the model and data is assured; we tailor our security measures to suit our customers’ needs. Upon prior request, our highly experienced IT support team can set up Virtual Private Networks (VPN) to permit remote monitoring of test data by customer teams from within and outside the UK.

Flexibility

We operate a flexible service throughout the year to suit the requirements of our customers; we have considerable experience in delivering test programs with 24-hour running.

Technical Information

Model Attitude:

• Extended ranges of incidence and sideslip
• Roll range: ±180˚

Load Measurement:

• Panel balances can be used to measure loads on store sub-components such as control surfaces

Data Acquisition:

• Up to 220 channels measured at up to 10 data points per second
• Measurement of several hundred steady state pressures recorded at up to 10 data points per second