A major step towards European integration of aerospace research facilities

A major step towards European integration of aerospace research facilities

Keywords: Aerospace industry, Research

It is reported that at end of April 2006 three national aerospace research organisations –the Dutch National Aerospace Laboratory (NLR), the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the French Office National d'Études et de Recherches Aérospatiales (ONERA) – took a major step towards integration of the wind tunnel facilities of France, Germany and The Netherlands.

By signing a co-operation agreement they enabled the foundation “German-Dutch Wind Tunnels” (DNW) – operating NLR and DLR wind tunnels– and ONERA to establish, at the same time, the European Economic Interest Grouping “Aero Testing Alliance” (ATA), having its seat in Noordoostpolder, The Netherlands.

We understand that the ultimate goal of this new, European co-operation is the integrated operation of wind tunnel facilities, intensively used by leading aerospace companies world-wide. As a first step DNW and ONERA will perform joint activities not only concerning technical co-operation, but also on marketing and acquisition of contracts for their wind tunnel services. Also, joint investments in equipment are foreseen.

Taking into account that all parties involved have a substantial track record in wind tunnel testing, the ATA co- operation will result in providing more effective wind tunnel services (in terms of quality, responsiveness and costs)to the aeronautical industry as well as to the research community.

Since, 1988, DLR, NLR and ONERA have already co-operated as joint owners of the European Transonic Wind tunnel ETW, together with their UK-partner.