Characteristics, Performances and Testing Capabilities of Four Main European Subsonic Wind-Tunnels (Rae-5 M, Onera Fl and Sima, Dnw)

摘要

The testing capabilities of four subsonic tunnels are overviewed. Two of them, the DNW tunnel and the ONERA S1 Mondane, are of the atmospheric type; the two others, RAE 5 m and the F1 Fauga, are of the pressurized type. All these tunnels are built incorporating the concept of interchangeable test-sections, which makes possible a high degree of testing efficiency. The size of their test sections varies from 4.5 m to 9.5 m, and so it is possible to use the same large aircraft model, in each of these facilities. The two pressurized tunnels are well suited for Reynolds-Mach numbers effects analysis at subsonic speeds, and the two large atmospheric tunnels can be used for full-scale testing. Another feature is the acoustic equipment prepared in the two atmospheric tunnels for noise research around propulsive nacelle and airframe. The various types of possible tests in these installations are listed. The main characteristics and major equipments of the four tunnels are given with an inventory of the other major European Tunnels already used for subsonic, transonic, and supersonic testing.