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Transonic industrial wind tunnel testing in the 2020s

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 December 2021

D.I. Greenwell Open the ORCID record for D.I. Greenwell [Opens in a new window]
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Abstract

Wind tunnels remain an essential element in the design and development of flight vehicles. However, graduates in aerospace engineering tend to have had little exposure to the demands of industrial experimental work, particularly at high speed, a situation exacerbated by a lack of up-to-date reference material. In an attempt to fill this gap, this paper presents an overview of the current and near-term status and usage of transonic industrial wind tunnels. The review is aimed at recent entrants to the field, with the aim of helping them make the step from research projects in small university facilities to commercial projects in large industrial facilities. In addition, a picture has emerged from the review that contradicts received wisdom that the wind tunnel is in decline. Globally, the industrial transonic wind tunnel is undergoing somewhat of a renaissance. Numbers are increasing, investment levels are rising, capabilities are being enhanced, and facilities are busy.

Keywords

transonic wind tunneltrisonic wind tunnelindustrial wind tunnel testingproduction wind tunnel testing
Type
Survey Paper
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 126 , Special Issue 1295: This special issue marks the 125th anniversary of The Aeronautical Journal , January 2022 , pp. 125 - 151
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Royal Aeronautical Society

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