The High-Enthalpy Aerothermal Test arc-heated facilities at the Arnold Engineering Development Complex fill a unique niche in providing high pressure, high-enthalpy ground test simulations. These test units are the sole DOD arc facilities in operation, and represent the only state-of-the-art, high pressure arc facilities in the world.
"AEDC clearly has unique and highly critical test capabilities to support both Aviation and Missile aspects of the AMRDEC core mission," Lackey said. "During my comprehensive and very informative tour, I saw some amazing world-class high speed test and evaluation facilities; ones that are essential as AMRDEC works in partnership with our customers to explore aerospace system design and developments for stressing hypersonic aerodynamic and aero thermal operational applications."
The 70-megawatt arc heater provides a large, high-pressure, high-temperature facility for testing full-scale missile and re-entry materials, replicating Mach 3.5 at 150 atmospheres of pressure and temperatures up to 13,000 degrees Rankine.
Related Links:
Army.mil: Science and Technology News
U.S. Army Research, Development, and Engineering Command
U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center
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