Laboratory Testing

Wind Tunnel Services

Wind tunnel can be used for performance testing, handling qualities assessments and powered engine campaigns.

The Airbus wind tunnel team is highly experienced and capable, taking pride in innovating and developing new wind tunnel technology, model designs, model manufacturing processes and measurement techniques to the highest standards.

Using the expertise from our Bremen, Filton and Toulouse sites, we can respond to varied testing needs, complex requirements and short turnarounds.

The team carries out the full end-to-end process of design, structural analysis, manufacture and, of course, the operational testing of wind tunnel models. We have a number of very capable, experienced test leaders, who coordinate both our in-house tests plus the work we carry out at external facilities.

Facility Location: Filton, United Kingdom | Bremen, Germany

Benefits

Complete package can be proposed from 3D modelling, through mock-up creation until wind tunnel test and data analysis by an integrated, capable and highly experienced engineering team
Easier and cheaper than performing a flight test in aeronautics domain
Test tailored to your needs and industry: many parameters can be adjustable (wind speed, in certain wind tunnels also temperature and pressure)
Lots of different technics available for flow visualisation
Extensive instrumentation options and experience, applicable not just to the aeronautics industry

Wind Tunnel testing in Filton

Learn how wind tunnel testing helps Airbus engineers to better understand the overall design of the E-Fan X demonstrator, and the effects of air as it moves over and around the test model

This tunnel has a working section of 3.05m (h) by 3.65m (w) by 8.5m (l), and is powered by a 2MW fan motor, giving speeds up to 97m/s (0.29 mach). High speed or higher Reynolds number work is led by us as the customer at external wind tunnels around Europe and beyond. The tunnel can be used for performance testing, handling qualities assessments and powered engine campaigns. We are able to offer a large number of advanced measurement techniques including Particle Image Velocimetry.

We love to be the pioneers, as we did with 3D printing technology, installing our first machine over 20 years ago. Virtually all of the 3D printed components on Airbus wind tunnel models are now made in house in Filton, either in plastic or metal, depending on the application and we support the wider business from fuel systems to wing structures to flight test. We already have a large number of internal customers across the Airbus Group and external customers in various industries outside of Airbus.

Environmental Testing

For decades, Airbus has acquired an unique expertise in performing a wide range of environmental simulation tests to demonstrate the certification of aircraft equipment and systems against international certification standards (e.g. RTCA DO160), being then representative of the most harsh flight and operations conditions like over-pressure & vacuum, wide temperature range, thermal shock, high humidity range, corrosion, etc.

Climatic Testing

Thanks to dedicated test facilities, we are able to handle extra large samples of equipment and even entire aircraft sections, for instance:

Multi Climate Chamber (11.5m x 7.8m x 7.1m) where we can handle 2 different temperature zones (+5°C/+50°C and -60°C/+50°C) with relative humidity of 5 to 100%rH @ 24°C
Vacuum chamber (5m x 2.8m x 2.6m) where we can achieve temperature range of -70°C to +80°C, low pressure of 115 hPa, relative humidity max 95 % @ 75°C and rapid decompression from 752.6 hPa to 116 hPa within 15 s
Other means/chambers available

Electromagnetic Testing

Through those decades we have also developed a world wide recognised expertise in the field of Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) testing that allow us to offer a wide range of tests to qualify and certify equipment and systems against aeronautics standards (RTCA DO-160) and other industry standards:

EMC and High-intensity Radiated Field
Lightning Indirect Effects
Power, Harness and Shielding

We perform those tests in our laboratories equipped with large size chambers:

2 Anechoid chambers (12m x 6,7m x 6,5m with 3m turntable and 5,6m x 3,7m x 2,9m)
Shielded room (8m x 4m x 2,5m)
Reverberation chamber (4m x 2m x 2,5m)

We can also perform those tests on premise in the frame for example of aircraft working parties, data transfer measurements, certification, etc.

Benefits

Unique expertise in performing a wide range of environmental simulation tests
Dedicated test facilities: we are able to handle extra large samples of equipment and even entire aircraft sections
Wide range of tests to qualify and certify equipment and systems against aeronautics standards (RTCA DO-160) and other industry standards
Laboratories equipped with large size chambers
Tests can be performed on premises

Electrician testing wires

Airbus proposes a wide range of electrical testing services:

Dielectric
Characterisation
Endurance
Abuse cases

Ground Operations

Years of experience in aircraft ground maintenance and loading/boarding operations

Ground operations are just as important as in-flight operations. Discover our services to make the most out of your fleet.

Instrumentation Services

Get access to our instrumentation shops and associated expertise

Airbus Services offers a wide range of solutions and expertise in test instrumentation domain. We address all test instrumentation aspects, even on specific topics like sensors, acquisition, processing, connectivity, recording and data analysis.

Airborne Operations & Testing

Benefit from our years of experience in aircraft and UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) flight testing

Airbus developed and certified a wide range of airliners and military aircraft (both for initial development/certification and in-service modifications). Various technology demonstrators have also been tested (laminar wing demonstrator, ‘vortex’ surfing flight, autonomous taxi and take off).