Aircraft Research Association Ltd (ARA) based in Manton Lane, Bedford signed two landmark contracts in 2020 helping secure ARA’s future as a leading specialist in aerospace and defence services.
The company has extended its partnership with BAE Systems by signing a long term (framework) agreement to support the company’s future platform developments.
The agreement comprises transonic wind tunnel testing and a range of complementary aerodynamic services.
ARA is supporting BAE Systems with testing and instrumented model design and manufacturing services for their role in the Team Tempest collaboration initiative to develop a next generation combat air system.
The second piece of good news from the company, they have announced an extension to their partnership with Turkish Aerospace by signing an agreement to support Turkish Aerospace’s future platform developments.
The contract comprises wind tunnel testing in the transonic range with the facility for a complementary aerodynamic services.
ARA has previously collaborated with Turkish Aerospace with both testing and instrumented scale model design and manufacturing services for Turkish Aerospace’s next generation combat aircraft TF-X as part of the risk reduction phase where the highest levels of quality wind tunnel data are required to verify and validate aerodynamic designs.
Mr Paul Hutchings, Chief Executive Officer said: “We are proud that BAE Systems and Turkish Aerospace have entrusted us to provide key aerodynamic testing services for their new aircraft developments. We think this underlines our reliable and flexible approach with innovative technologies.”
ARA is one Bedford’s oldest and largest employers providing testing services in its transonic wind tunnel, design and manufacturing of high specification test models as well as aerodynamic consultancy services.
ARA’s tools and techniques generate high fidelity data to enable clients achieve optimal aerodynamic performance for their designs and potentially reduce noise, fuel burn and weight.
From ARA’s origins in the 1950s testing pioneering aircraft designs like TSR2, Vulcan, Harrier, Tornado and Concorde through to tomorrow’s commercial and military platforms, ARA remains a critical solution provider.
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