The ARA is a centre of excellence in delivering aerodynamic capabilities to the aviation sector. Forming part of the BAE Systems FalconWorks business, within the Air sector, ARA benefits from being both big and small, drawing on wider engineering expertise and know-how where needed.

  • 1952

    1952-1954

    Formation of the Aircraft Research Association by the 14 Member Companies with Mr Ron Hills appointed as Chief Executive. Artists impression of ARA and construction photographs c1954.

  • 1956

    1956

    The official opening of the ARA Transonic Wind Tunnel (TWT) by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and the first wind tunnel test of the Saunders Roe SR-177 model.
  • 1958

    1958

    Commissioning of the ARA Supersonic Wind Tunnel (M = 4.0 to 5.0)
  • 1960

    1960

    TWT Testing of the TSR2 aircraft (Tactical Strike & Reconnaissance).
  • 1962

    1962

    Upgrades to the TWT control and data acquisition systems.
  • 1963

    1963

    Opening of the Two Dimensional (2DT) wind tunnel for aerofoil sections.
  • 1964

    1964

    ARA workshop for manufacturing wind tunnel models.
  • 1965

    1965

    Official opening of the ARA Sports & Social Club facility for staff and their families.
  • 1966

    1966

    ARA Hypersonic wind tunnels (M = 6.0, 7.0 & 8.0).
  • 1970

    1970

    Transonic and Supersonic testing of Concorde.
  • 1972

    1972

    Early Turbine Powered Simulator (TPS) testing on the Galaxy half model in the TWT.
  • 1974

    1974

    Upgraded model movement system and novel rig developments, showing Tornado on cranked sting arrangements.
  • 1975

    1975

    ARA Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) group formed.
  • 1976

    1976

    ARA Captive Trajectory Rig (CTR) or Two Sting Rig (TSR) developed, showing Harrier model with store release.
  • 1977

    1977

    Harrier and Concorde models being prepared for test in the TWT.
  • 1980

    1980

    Tornado with multiple balanced stores being tested in the TWT.
  • 1981

    1981

    Airbus A300 family testing begins at ARA.
  • 1983

    1983

    EFA (European Fighter Aircraft – later Eurofighter Typhoon), testing on the ARA Two Sting Rig (TSR).
  • 1988

    1988

    New honeycomb flow straightener installed in the TWT.
  • 1989

    1989

    Acoustic testing of a large scale contra-rotating propeller in the TWT.
  • 1990

    1990

    BAE146 half model with through flow nacelles testing in the TWT.
  • 1992

    1992

    Airbus A320 cryogenic model designed and manufactured at ARA for the European Transonic Wind Tunnel (ETW).
  • 1994

    1994

    Lockheed Martin Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) contender (later designated F-35), in the ARA TWT.
  • 1995

    1995

    Boeing Joint Strike Fighter contender in the ARA TWT.
  • 1997

    1997

    McDonnell Douglas Joint Strike Fighter contender testing using pressure-sensitive paint in the ARA TWT.
  • 1998

    1998

    Airbus A340-600 testing in the ARA TWT.
  • 1999

    1999

    New Sulzer compressor installed for the ARA TWT.
  • 2000

    2000

    Nimrod 2000 maritime patrol aircraft testing in the ARA TWT.
  • 2001

    2001

    Completion of the ARA noise enclosure to allow 24hr operation of the ARA TWT.
  • 2002

    2002

    ARA’s 50th anniversary celebrations, featuring HRH The Duke of Edinburgh presenting a commemorative plaque to Mr Ron Hills, ARA’s 1st Chief Executive.
  • 2004

    2004

    Airbus A380 testing in the ARA TWT.
  • 2007

    2007

    Hybrid Laminar Flow research model (HLFC) testing in the ARA TWT.
  • 2008

    2008

    Bombardier C-series testing in the ARA TWT.
  • 2009

    2009

    SAAB Gripen with pressure-sensitive paint testing in the ARA TWT.
  • 2012

    2012

    ARA’s 60th anniversary celebrations.
  • 2013

    2013

    Captive trajectory tests with Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in the ARA TWT.
  • 2014

    2014

    Mantis UAV test in the ARA TWT.
  • 2015

    2015

    Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) tests of a cavity research model.
  • 2017

    2017

    Gust generation rig testing in the ARA TWT.
  • 2018

    2018

    Upgraded acoustic liner and microphone arrays with large scale propeller in the ARA TWT.
  • 2020

    2020

    IR Thermal image of transition research model in the ARA TWT.
  • 2021

    2021

    ARA TRUFLOW CFD result with 3D visualisation and TRUFLOW thrust reverser research model designed and manufactured at ARA with UV oilflow testing in the RUAG low speed wind tunnel.
  • 2022

    2022

    CleanSky research programme SUBLIME, PIV tests in the ARA TWT and the Dual Stream Jet Propulsion Rig (DSJPR) developed under the AVAUNT and ODIN projects.
  • 2023

    2023

    Large scale nacelle research in the ARA TWT with CFD solution overlaid. 2023 ARA becomes part of BAE Systems Falconworks®. HRH The Princess Royal visits ARA.
  • 2024

    2024

    The ARA High Speed Reference Model (HSRM) designed, manufactures and tested.
  • 2025

    2025

    Upgrade to the propulsion test facilities completed.