UK: BAE Systems Tests Typhoon Jet’s High-Speed Tunnel

BAE Systems engineers in Warton, Lancashire, are using high speed wind tunnels to assess the aerodynamic characteristics of Typhoon Tranche 3 aircraft when equipped with two fuselage-mounted conformal fuel tanks. The Tranche 3 is the third and latest version of the jet.

BAE Systems engineers in Warton, Lancashire, are using high speed wind tunnels to assess the aerodynamic characteristics of Typhoon Tranche 3 aircraft when equipped with two fuselage-mounted conformal fuel tanks. The Tranche 3 is the third and latest version of the jet.

The testing uses a geometrically perfect 1/12th scale model of the aircraft, made from light alloy and hardwood, with the new fuel tanks created to scale using 3D printing – or Additive Layer Manufacturing (ALM) – techniques.

Conformal fuel tanks could increase the future operational range and flexibility of the Typhoon aircraft due to increased fuel capacity.

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Press Release, May 13, 2014; Image: BAE Systems