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AEDC lab creates and installs sensors for aerothermal measurement during tests

This is an example of one of the models instrumented with heat flux sensors in the Aero-thermal Measurements Lab. The lab supports testing of thermal protection systems, material sample ablation, boundary layer transition and roughness effects, and protuberance heating. (Photo by Rick Goodfriend)
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Major savings occur as part of AEDC wind tunnel improvement program

The compact design and 90 degree offset of the new bulkhead feedthrough assembly saves valuable space inside each enclosure. (Photo provided)
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Major savings occur as part of AEDC wind tunnel improvement program

The feedthrough assemblies for the Test Article Control System (TACS) and Data Acquisition System (DAS) used at the 16-foot transonic (16T) wind tunnel were recently replaced, saving AEDC more than $1 million. Pictured is a new feedthrough undergoing vacuum testing in the Space Systems Test Facility (SSTF) Lab at AEDC. (Photo provided)
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16T project team determines more efficient process for disconnect panel fabrication

This is an example of a new disconnect panel for the 16-foot transonic wind tunnel (16T) Test Article Control System (TACS) and Data Acquisition System (DAS). One panel would usually take at least a month or two to complete in-house for $1,300 but is now being completed for $300 in just two weeks. (Photo provided)
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16T project team determines more efficient process for disconnect panel fabrication

Terry Rayfield, ATA Senior Controls Engineer, at right, and Dale Shultz, instrument technician, work on putting terminal strips into one of the new disconnect panels for the Propulsion Wind Tunnel facility 16-foot transonic wind tunnel (16T). The disconnect panels, which are part of the 16T Test Article Control System (TACS) and Data Acquisition System (DAS), are used to provide a clean interface between system input/output hardware and field devices. (Photo provided)
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New Tunnel 4T Captive Trajectory Support System expands test envelope

Pictured during installation is the mechanism in the Propulsion Wind Tunnel Facility four-foot Transonic Wind Tunnel (4T) Captive Trajectory Support (CTS) system. The newly designed and fabricated mechanism controls the movement of the test model during a store separation test. (Photo by Rick Goodfriend)
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New Tunnel 4T Captive Trajectory Support System expands test envelope

Randy Vinke, an ATA electrician with the Propulsion Wind Tunnel (PWT) Facility Test Operations group, installs wires for the interface panels that are used to connect the test model instrumentation to a data system. The installation occurs in the PWT four-foot Transonic Wind Tunnel (4T) Captive Trajectory Support (CTS) system, which contains a newly designed and fabricated mechanism that enables a test model to have six degrees of motion: pitch, roll, yaw, axial, horizontal and vertical. The CTS is used to conduct staging and store separation testing. (Photo by Rick Goodfriend)
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AEDC wind tunnel modernization benefits from ‘in-house’ fabrication capabilities

Dennis O’Dear (left) and Keith Gipson (bottom, right), both ATA outside machinists, install newly designed and fabricated flexible nozzle actuators in the Propulsion Wind Tunnel four-foot transonic wind tunnel (4T) at AEDC. The actuators are electromechanically driven ball-screw jacks which move the flexible top and bottom plates in the 4T tunnel closer together providing variable Mach numbers or wind speeds during a test. (Photo by Rick Goodfriend)
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AEDC wind tunnel modernization benefits from ‘in-house’ fabrication capabilities

The new pitch boom mechanism for the Propulsion Wind Tunnel four-foot transonic wind tunnel (4T) Captive Trajectory Support (CTS) system is shown here after fabrication and assembly by the AEDC Model Shop. The mechanism controls the pitch, yaw and roll movement of a bomb or missile when it separates from the aircraft during a flight simulation test at altitude conditions. (Photo by Rick Goodfriend)
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AEDC wind tunnel modernization benefits from ‘in-house’ fabrication capabilities

Tom Hartvigsen (left), a test system designer with the ATA Technology and Engineering Analysis Branch, and Derrick Burton, a Model Shop machinist with the ATA Test Support Branch, assemble parts that were fabricated by the shop for the new pitch boom mechanism for the Propulsion Wind Tunnel four-foot transonic wind tunnel (4T) Captive Trajectory Support (CTS) System. The pitch boom mechanism controls the pitch, yaw and roll movement of a bomb or missile when it separates from the aircraft during a flight simulation test at altitude conditions. (Photo by Rick Goodfriend)
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Congressman DesJarlais views AEDC progress

Congressman Scott DesJarlais (second from left) tours the Propulsion Wind Tunnel 16-foot Supersonic Tunnel at AEDC during a visit on April 8. The wind tunnel test aerodynamic flows for flight systems and has a capability of achieving Mach speeds up to 4.75 or approximately 3,000 mph. DesJarlais also visited the von Karman Gas Dynamics Facility, the Arc Heater Facility and the Space Threat Assessment Testbed to see facility capabilities and upgrades. Pictured with DesJarlais, left to right, is AEDC Propulsion Wind Tunnel Test Branch Technical Director Wayne Hawkins, DesJarlais’ staff member Isaiah Robinson and AEDC Commander Col. Raymond Toth. (Photo by Jacqueline Cowan)
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Orion parachute testing conducted at AEDC NFAC facility

AEDC engineers were part of a test team that performed wind tunnel testing on the parachutes for NASA Orion spacecraft in January. The test team also consisted of NASA, Airborne Systems, Jacobs Engineering and NFAC personnel. Pictured here is a parachute being tested in a NFAC wind tunnel. (AEDC photos)
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Orion parachute testing conducted at AEDC NFAC facility

AEDC engineers were part of a test team that performed wind tunnel testing on the parachutes for NASA Orion spacecraft in January. The test team also consisted of NASA, Airborne Systems, Jacobs Engineering and NFAC personnel. Pictured here is a parachute being tested in a NFAC wind tunnel. (AEDC photos)
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Orion parachute testing conducted at AEDC NFAC facility

On Feb. 2 in Eloy, Ariz., engineers performed air drop testing on sub-scale parachutes for the NASA Orion spacecraft. The test is meant to determine which parachute configuration will ensure the Orion lands safely after missions. (Photo credit: NASA)
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16T Pitch Boom reactivated to support wind tunnel tests

Aaron Blaser and Christian Morris, outside machinists, assist in the reactivation of the 16T Pitch Boom. (Photo by Rick Goodfriend)
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16T Pitch Boom reactivated to support wind tunnel tests

The Pitch Boom at the AEDC 16-foot transonic wind tunnel (16T) was recently reactivated. This model support system is used in conjunction with a roll mechanism to provide a combined pitch and roll movement. (Photo by Rick Goodfriend)
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Dynamic pressure sensitive paint showcased at Arnold Air Force Base

The dynamic PSP was used on the Lockheed Martin V7 model, a 1980s Advanced Tactical Fighter concept, to measure the acoustic pressure levels in the bay. This photo shows the illumination of the model by the purple LEDs.
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Dynamic pressure sensitive paint showcased at Arnold Air Force Base

The model glows bright red as a result of the fluorescent light emitted by the PSP.
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AEDC and AFRL collaborate to make advances in hypersonic technology

The first image shows the global heating data acquired on the windward surface of the vehicle during a continuous pitch sweep with both inlets started. In the second image the color changes represent the global heating data acquired on the windward surface of the vehicle during a continuous pitch sweep with the starboard inlet unstarted.
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AEDC and AFRL collaborate to make advances in hypersonic technology

The first image shows the global heating data acquired on the windward surface of the vehicle during a continuous pitch sweep with both inlets started. In the second image the color changes represent the global heating data acquired on the windward surface of the vehicle during a continuous pitch sweep with the starboard inlet unstarted.
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