ICED-CRM Testing Successfully Completed Through International Collaboration
Wind tunnel tests led by Cranfield University as part of the ICED-CRM project have been completed, examining the aerodynamic effects of leading edge and runback ice shapes on the NASA CRM high-lift model. The project brought together Airbus, Boeing, NASA, Cranfield University, and the European Transonic Wind Tunnel… read more
New Dataset: Wake of an Isolated Rotating Wheel
Understanding the development of wake from a rotating wheel can provide insight into the best method of controlling the flow to achieve minimal drag. This dataset from Loughborough University provides PIV measurements in a number of salient planes to show the development of the wake from a rotating… read more
Cranfield ICED CRM Project in Partnership with Airbus, Boeing & NASA
The first group of NWTF delegates has visited the Cranfield led ICED CRM Test Programme at the European Transonic Wind Tunnel (ETW) in Cologne, with a second group scheduled to attend in mid-April. The visits have been organised as part of the UK project ICED CRM, a collaboration… read more
PhD Student Benefits from NWTF Researcher Mobility Scheme
Access through the NWTF Researcher Mobility Scheme enabled Miguel Escudero Munoz, a joint PhD student at Cranfield University the Royal Military Academy, Belgium, to carry out advanced experimental research at City St George’s, University of London, using the Transonic Wind Tunnel. The study aimed to improve the experimental… read more
Noise Patterns of Overlapping Propellers in Forward Flight
As urban air transportation advances, distributed propulsion is becoming inevitable, making propeller–wake interaction noise a critical challenge. A new metadata-rich experimental dataset from the University of Bristol captures high-quality acoustic interference effects of overlapping propellers in forward flight, supporting the development of quieter next-generation urban air mobility systems. The data… read more
Airbus Hosts NWTF Workshop on Wind Tunnel Testing for Icing Conditions
Airbus hosted the NWTF workshop on Wind Tunnel Testing for Icing Conditions & Impact on Aircraft Performance, bringing together specialists from industry and academia to examine icing challenges, wind-tunnel capabilities, and future sector needs. Thank you to Paul White and the team at Airbus UK for their support… read more
NWTF Tunnel Managers Forum Sees Record Attendance at Imperial College
The Tunnel Managers Forum met at Imperial College on 6 November, with 20 wind tunnel managers from academia and industry attending—the largest turnout to date. The event included a tour of Imperial’s facilities, featuring the 10×5 Low Speed and Supersonic wind tunnels. Held twice a year, the Forum… read more
NWTF Free Access Supports Early Career Research in Hypersonic Study
The National Wind Tunnel Facility (NWTF) continues to support early career researchers through its Free Access Programme, which enables academic researchers to use NWTF facilities at no cost. This initiative is designed to reduce bureaucracy and accelerate testing, allowing researchers to carry out experiments that may not be… read more
New Dataset Reveals How Propeller Synchronization Can Reduce UAM Noise
University of Bristol’s aeroacoustic measurements show that noise reduction in Distributed Electric Propulsion can be achieved by adjusting blade phase angles between adjacent propellers. Electronic synchronization reveals promising strategies to over come one of the biggest hurdles of UAM—community noise. This dataset provides detailed acoustic measurements of synchronized… read more
The University of Manchester Hosts Density-Based Optical Measurements Workshop
The Density-Based Optical Measurements Training Workshop took place at the University of Manchester on 23–24 September 2025, led by Dr Mark Quinn. The two-day course combined theoretical sessions on the principles of schlieren, shadowgraph, and background-oriented schlieren (BOS) imaging with practical laboratory exercises, providing participants with hands-on experience… read more
Instrumentation and Facility Automation Workshop at the University of Surrey
The NWTF Instrumentation and Facility Automation Workshop at the University of Surrey brought together academics, wind tunnel operators, users, and customers to to share best practices in automating wind tunnel systems. Topics included facility operation, instrumentation calibration, safety systems, and data management. The workshop highlighted how automation and… read more
Funded Opportunity for UK Academics: ICED CRM Test Programme at ETW Cologne
NWTF is partnering with Airbus, Boeing, and NASA to conduct cryogenic low-speed wind tunnel testing at ETW in Cologne, Germany, as part of a UK project called ICED CRM. This will involve testing scaled solid ice shapes on NASA’s High Lift Common Research Model to assess the impact… read more