Testbed aircraft explained

A testbed aircraft is an aeroplane, helicopter or other kind of aircraft intended for flight research or testing the aircraft concepts or on-board equipment. These could be specially designed or modified from serial production aircraft.[1] [2]

Use of testbed aircraft

For example, in development of new aircraft engines, these are fitted to a testbed aircraft for flight testing, before certification. New instruments wiring and equipment, a fuel system and piping, structural alterations to the wings, and other adjustments are needed for this adaptation.[3] [4]

The Folland Fo.108 (nicknamed the "Folland Frightful") was a dedicated engine testbed aircraft in service from 1940. The aircraft had a mid-fuselage cabin for test instrumentation and observers. Twelve were built and provided to British aero-engine companies. A large number of aircraft-testbeds have been produced and tested since 1941 in the USSR and Russia by the Gromov Flight Research Institute.[2] [5]

AlliedSignal,[6] Honeywell Aerospace,[7] Pratt & Whitney,[8] and other aerospace companies used Boeing jetliners as flying testbed aircraft.[9]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: 1994 . Свищёв . Георгий . Авиация : Энциклопедия . Aviation : Encyclopedia . RU . Москва . . 735 .
  2. Book: 2017 . Hamel . Peter G. . In-flight simulators and fly-by-wire/light demonstrators : a historical account of international aeronautical research . Cham, Switzerland . Springer . 345 . 9783319539973.
  3. Web site: GE's new 747 flying testbed colors. Aviation Week. 7 June 2013. 26 April 2016. Guy Norris. https://web.archive.org/web/20160602101951/http://aviationweek.com/blog/ges-new-747-flying-testbed-colors. 2 June 2016.
  4. Web site: Lancaster Test Bed Images. Avro Lancaster. 26 April 2016.
  5. Жихарев . Вячеслав . Опытно-конструкторское производство ЛИИ имени М.М. Громова . Gromov Flight Research Institute Experimental Production Division . Вестник авиации и космонавтики . RU . . Редакция журнала . 6 March 2001 . 72–83 .
  6. Web site: AlliedSignal powers up AS900 turbofan. Flight Global. 18 August 1999. 2 August 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180130091642/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/alliedsignal-powers-up-as900-turbofan-55058/. 30 January 2018.
  7. Web site: Boeing 757 test-bed plane showcases Honeywell R&D capabilities in Dubai. The National Business. 6 August 2016. 2 August 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180802224015/https://www.thenational.ae/business/boeing-757-test-bed-plane-showcases-honeywell-r-d-capabilities-in-dubai-1.139514. 2 August 2018.
  8. Web site: Inside Pratt's new flying testbed. Aviation Week. 8 May 2012. 2 August 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180116144715/http://aviationweek.com/blog/inside-pratts-new-flying-testbed. 16 January 2018.
  9. Web site: 2021-09-15. Tempest Fighter To Wield Flying 'Excalibur' Lab For Digital Dominance. 2021-09-18. Breaking Defense. en-US.

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