AeroSystems upgraded the existing test cells at the GE Lynn facility for development and production testing of the new GE38 helicopter engine. AeroSystems designed the heated inlet, exhaust system, rooftop acoustic enclosure, and high speed test bed for this facility. The GE38 engine was selected by Sikorsky Aircraft to power the U.S. Marine Corps’ CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter.

AeroSystems supplied the test equipment and aero / acoustic systems for Rolls-Royce Canada Industrial Engine Test Facilities in Montreal, Canada. The engines tested in the facility include Industrial RB.211 & Industrial Trent. Most recently, AeroSystems conducted an aerodynamic / feasibility study to add the RB.211 H63 test capability to the Test Cell 3 Industrial Trent direct drive generator test bed. Following this study, AeroSystems was contracted by Rolls-Royce Canada to perform an extensive modification to the facility. The modifications included a new style elbow augmenter & corresponding exhaust stack to enable nozzle testing of RB.211 style gas turbines within the direct drive generator testing facility. This modification to Rolls-Royce Canada Test Cell 3 introduces essential flexibility between nozzle testing and direct drive generator testing in support of the varied research and development programs on energy gas turbines. In addition to the aero and acoustic modifications to the facility, AeroSystems is also supplying the airmeter for the RB.211 H63 project. The facility was successfully commissioned in April 2010.

AeroSystems designed, manufactured, and tested the bellmouth and FOD screen for a military helicopter engine application. AeroSystems also supplied additional components, including a combination thrust stand/test bed, ASE2000LX control and instrumentation system, and calibration equipment. Calibration of the bellmouth was performed at the FluiDyne aerotest lab.

AeroSystems designed, constructed and commissioned a 12 meter turnkey test facility for the China Airlines headquarters at Taipei International Airport in Taiwan. The test cell currently tests the CF6-80C2, PW4000, CFM56-7B and CFM56-5C engines, with addition of the CF6-80E1 in fall of 2010. One of the largest in the jet cell family, the test cell is capable of testing turbofan engines ranging from the GE90-115B to CFM56 thrust class. The test cell operates using AeroSystems test equipment, including an ASE2000LX control and instrumentation system, 150K thrust stand and engine test adapters.

AeroSystems designed the Hondajet engine test facility and equipment for Honda’s North American engine production facility in Burlington, NC. The Hondajet is a new VLJ (Very Light Jet) class aircraft, powered by the Honda HF-120 and HF-160 engines. Final shakedown is projected to take place late summer of 2010.

Celtech, in cooperation with AeroSystems, delivered two T20 engine test systems featuring the ENDAS data acquisition system to the Royal Saudi Air Force. The T20 system is used to test the F110 engine for the F-16 aircraft. The Celtech-AeroSystems team recently received a letter of commendation for project execution from GE, who served as the prime contractor for this project.

The 40 meter IAS (International Aviation Supply) wind tunnel, located in Brindisi, is one of the largest open-circuit subsonic wind tunnels in Italy. The tunnel’s initial application was for the development of what is referred to as a vertical takeoff UAV. Dual in-line test sections allow the tunnel to run at both low and high speeds. The tunnel is capable of testing the aerodynamic models of most land, air and sea vehicles in the subsonic speed range. In addition, the tunnel can test wind turbines and civil structures subjected to wind loading.

FluiDyne used acoustic array processing technology developed under a NASA sponsored SBIR to support the Rolls-Royce Trent and General Electric GEnx engines used on the Boeing 787 aircraft. Boeing used the data from these tests to evaluate how much noise from the aircraft’s engines would be transmitted through the fuselage to the passenger cabin.