60 years on and ARA is still at the forefront of aircraft design and boasts a worldwide customer base.  Over these years ARA’s facilities and capabilities have developed to include a state of the art Design and Manufacture business using the latest CAD software and production machines to design and produce high fidelity wind tunnel models and high value engineering components.  A Computational Aerodynamics business using a mixture of commercial software and in-house software to simulate and analyse aircraft performance.  The Experimental Aerodynamics business which operates the wind tunnel has seen numerous technological advances to enable the facility to remain as one of the most efficient and accurate transonic wind tunnels in the world.

“The business just hasn’t stood still” says Dougie Hunter, ARA’s Chief Executive.  “Despite being fully engaged with our core aerospace customers we have also transferred our capabilities into other fields such as auto sport where we have supported a number of F1 teams and green energy where we are helping to improve wind turbine performance.”

When ARA’s 60th anniversary was mentioned to Dave Hodgson, Mayor of Bedford, he replied “ARA has continued to thrive in the Borough over a long period during which many other engineering based organisations sadly disappeared, and I would like to wish everyone who has been involved at ARA over its proud history congratulations on this landmark.  ARA regularly plays host to large numbers of visitors from North and South America, Europe and the Far East, helping to promote Bedford and the local economy.  Bedford’s proud engineering heritage is still very much in existence and ARA’s ongoing success is pivotal to attracting other technological businesses to the area.”

Apart from its commercial activities ARA is also fully engaged in supporting STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects within schools, colleges and universities. 

ARA’s contribution to education is acknowledged by Caroline O’Donnell CEO of Develop EBP “Our association with ARA goes back many years where they have been a fundamental part of Bedfordshire schools work experience programme.  Due to ARA’s excellent reputation for providing learning opportunities, requests from schools are always oversubscribed.  ARA has always supported Develop when asked and go out of their way to offer help, opportunities and advice.  They are a great partner to work with.”

Dougie Hunter concludes, “The prosperity of Bedford requires businesses that produce products and services which match the needs of the global market.  High Tech industries are pivotal in this as they attract highly skilled people into the area with salaries to match.  This inevitably means that money finds it way through the local economy sustaining local employment”.

As part of ARA’s celebrations it will be holding a family’s day to showpiece 60 years of aerodynamics excellence.

 This alliance will combine Cranfield’s internationally acclaimed facilities and aerospace capabilities with ARA Ltd’s renowned aerodynamic services.  Together, two of the UK’s sector leaders will be further recognized as significant players within aerospace and related markets on a global scale.

The Strategic Partnership Agreement will have the capability to provide a single streamline process for the research and development of new technology within the aerospace industry.  Customers will be able to place a single contract capable of developing projects from initial concept to final production rather than embark on a costly, time consuming and complex multi-supplier route.

Professor Clifford Friend, Cranfield University Deputy Vice-Chancellor commented “The combined capability of our organisations will bring a dynamic and distinctive research and technology offering into the global Aerospace Sector. We are confident that as this partnership develops it will reinforce our position as forerunners in aerospace and aerodynamic research.”

Dougie Hunter (ARA CEO) commented “This partnership with Cranfield University creates a unique and strong provider of Aerospace Research and Development  capability and services to our customers worldwide”

High productivity weapon release testing from
the KAI T-50 aircraft using the ARA Two Sting Rig

Additional images are available on request.

Cranfield University is a wholly postgraduate institution with a worldwide reputation for excellence and expertise in aerospace, automotive, defence, engineering, environment and water, health, management and manufacturing.  The University is made up of the following Schools: Cranfield Health, School of Management, School of Applied Sciences, School of Engineering, and Cranfield Defence and Security at Shrivenham.  For more information visit www.cranfield.ac.uk  

The Aircraft Research Association was established in 1952 as a wind tunnel test centre for the UK aircraft industry by 14 British aerospace companies. Today, this independent non-profit distributing research and development company has gained worldwide recognition as a centre of excellence, providing the aerospace industry with high quality aerodynamic and related services and facilities to support the design, development and through-life upgrades of commercial aircraft, military aircraft and defence system programmes. For more information visit www.ara.co.uk

For further information please contact: Media Relations, Cranfield University, tel: +44 (0) 1234 754999, mediarelations@cranfield.ac.uk

ARA’s Chief Executive, Dougie Hunter hosted the visit as a follow-up to a constructive breakfast meeting with the Mayor and other business leaders in December.  The meeting commenced with an introduction to ARA’s unique facilities and capabilities by Nigel Corby, ARA’s Business Development Executive.  Nigel reported, “The Mayor appeared impressed with the range of capabilities ARA offers the aerospace sector and was also keen to understand about the work we do in all of our business sectors”. 

Dougie added, “Following a positive visit last year from Richard Fuller, Bedford’s Member of Parliament, I was keen to demonstrate locally our uniqueness and value to the UK, especially how our technology is exploited around the globe.  Our people are some of the most highly skilled professionals in the UK and I was keen to express the value we add to our customers and to the local community”.

ARA at the Farnborough International Airshow 2010

It was a great pleasure to welcome a large number of existing and potential new customers to the ARA stand at the 2010 Farnborough International Airshow. The photographs show the ARA stand and the level of interest which was generated.

A series of meetings was held throughout the week to discuss future programmes and new technologies which our customers will require to support development of new aircraft and defence systems.

It was most pleasing that there was a high level of interest in ARA’s high quality services from outside our core aerospace business and we have a large number of follow-up actions which will be completed in the forthcoming weeks.

Local MP, Richard Fuller, has welcomed the news that the Bedford-based Aircraft Research Association (ARA) has signed an agreement to work with a major Chinese Aviation Organisation.

Aircraft Research Association Ltd (ARA), the United Kingdom’s leading aerodynamic research organisation and the Aerodynamics Research Institute of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, AVIC ARI, have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate the establishment of joint research programmes, knowledge transfer activities and commercial projects.

ARA has already begun work on the first commercial contract established between the two companies and talks are underway regarding future joint research projects.

Both organisations recognise that by establishing this agreement to undertake joint research they will be able to provide a superior service to their customers in the future and continue to enhance their positions and reputations within the aerospace industry.

Richard Fuller said:

“With David Cameron only this week leading a trade delegation to China, it is wonderful to see the Bedford-based firm, ARA, leading the way with this important international agreement.”

Business Secretary Vince Cable said during this week’s trade mission to China:

“Aircraft Research Association’s expanding presence in China is testament to the strong economic relationship between China and the UK, and to the benefits that trade and overseas investment can bring to UK companies.”

Dougie Hunter, ARA’s Chief Executive added:

“We are committed to expanding and improving ARA’s capabilities and in turn our presence within the global aerospace environment.  This agreement provides an excellent opportunity to explore new technologies whilst utilising the synergies between the two organisations.

“We are continually looking at potential strategic partnership arrangements to ensure ARA remains at the forefront of Aerodynamic research and development and is recognised as a local employer of highly skilled and talented people.”

Come visit us in Hall 3 stand C18

ARA will be exhibiting at this years Farnborough International Airshow from July 19th to July 25th. Come to see us in Hall 3 on stand C18 and we will show you our latest developments and exciting future plans.

Find out more about this years Airshow here: Official Farnborough Website

Umbrella tests at ARA

In January, ARA was contacted by Today’s Golfer magazine and asked if we would take part in a test of golf umbrellas in the Transonic Wind Tunnel to see which umbrella really stood up to links-type gales. For a tunnel with a maximum speed of 1000 miles per hour, testing at 20 miles per hour was going to be a true test of its’ capabilities.

On 8 February, David Connor from Today’s Golfer arrived with umbrellas from all the top manufacturers in the world ready to tackle the ARA wind tunnel head-on. ARA took up the challenge with our usual serious good humour to help find the world’s best brolly. Staff entered a competition to predict the maximum speed for the ARA umbrella so the Control Room was a no-go area to make sure there was no ‘inside information’ on the result.

Suffice to say, the tunnel answered all the questions we asked and more. We might not make a habit of testing at 20 miles per hour, but we now know it can be done.

Check out the April edition of Today’s Golfer,or follow the link below for details of the toughest umbrella test ever.

Todays Golfer Magazine

At this years Farnborough International Airshow ARA exhibited it’s latest developments in the fields of wind tunnel testing, computational aerodynamics and wind tunnel model design and manufacture. Throughout the week long event Dougie Hunter (Chief Executive, ARA)  was on hand to discuss with current and prospective clients the recent advances and upgrades to ARA’s facilities and capabilities.

One of the many highlights of the week was the visit of Sir Digby Jones, Minister for Trade Promotion, to the ARA stand.

For further information about the Farnborough Airshow please visit the following websites:

• Farnborough International Airshow
• The Society of British Aerospace Companies

Singapore Airlines first A380 flight into London 18/03/08

Links to media sources:

• BBC News website
• Sky News website
• The Daily Telegraph online edition
• The Financial Times online edition
• Reuters online
• CNN
• Airbus Industrie
• Singapore Airlines