Boeing has announced the renewal of its commitment to QinetiQ’s UK wind tunnel in the evaluation of its aircraft designs.
The £25m (US$33m) contract was awarded under an existing 40-year agreement that began in 2004 and is reviewed every five years. The latest extension will see Boeing continue to use the facility for its commercial aircraft testing until at least 2024.
QinetiQ’s five-meter wind tunnel in Farnborough, Hampshire, UK, is able to run at a pressure of up to three atmospheres and provide high-quality data that can accurately predict an aircraft’s performance at full scale.
This helps improve efficiency during landing and take-off, which is of critical importance for both military and civil aircraft.
John Anderson, managing director, air and space, QinetiQ, said, “The wind tunnel, which marks its 40th anniversary this year, has played a crucial role in the development of modern advanced aircraft, such as Boeing’s 787 and 777X.
“This continuation of our partnership with Boeing reaffirms the wind tunnel’s position as a vital national asset, enabling this important work to be carried out right here in the UK.
“It also shows that QinetiQ is delivering on its strategy to ensure the UK has the test and evaluation facilities and skills needed to maintain its competitive advantage.”
October 19, 2017
