Innovation and Technology

Introduction

The Innovation and Technology group ensures that ARA remains at the forefront of aerodynamic testing capability and leads the way in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD).

The priorities of this group of respected and experienced engineers and scientists are:

• To develop advanced measuring techniques, e.g. pressure sensitive paint, to allow their efficient use in the production wind tunnel testing environment.
• To cut the duration of the overall testing cycle, e.g. the use of remote-control control surfaces, whilst maintaining the high quality of data expected from ARA facilities.
• Using computational fluid dynamics and wind tunnel testing as complementary tools.

All aspects of the testing cycle are being examined, from design and manufacture through to the exploitation of computational modelling and the use of advanced data acquisition and testing techniques.