Civil Aviation

Rolls-Royce now has the competitive edge in developing more efficient, greener engines, thanks to QinetiQ’s test system, which can gather data from deep inside a working gas turbine aero-engine.Read More

To be competitive, Rolls-Royce needs to improve the fuel economy of its engines and reduce emissions. The ideal way of doing this is to carry out tests inside a real engine, but that means withstanding high temperatures and pressures.

QinetiQ has developed a system that can collect data from deep inside a working gas turbine, which involves four platinum-tipped probes, 50 data points, air and water cooling, and control via a fibre optic link.

Rolls-Royce says that the new system will definitely change the way it tests its engines, and will make it more competitive.

Data from the initial test on a Trent 900 engine will be used in future engines.

Our long experience in designing and undertaking flight test programmes for military customers offers significant benefits to our customers in civil aerospace.

We undertake a range of flight tests and are used to meeting challenging requirements. We also design and carry out aircraft modifications. Read More

Our flight test experts are based in Boscombe Down, Wiltshire, UK, but they also travel worldwide, as customers require. Boscombe Down is a fully operational airfield site, owned by the UK Ministry of Defence and operated by QinetiQ.

QinetiQ offers a range of test and evaluation services in the aerospace domain. Mechanical testing is one of our key strengths.

We have long experience in the evaluation and testing of materials, from specimens to structures, and a wide range of testing facilities. Our engineers can also act as troubleshooters for clients where required. Read More

We can manage and undertake all test requirements, combining project management with technical assurance.

Testing includes tension and compression testing, multi-axial test facilities, combined torsion/tension, fracture toughness, fatigue, high strain rate, environmental conditioning and instrumented impact.

We are using Multidisciplinary Design Optimisation (MDO) methods in our work with major aerospace leaders on aircraft design. MDO enables designs to be assessed rapidly, leading to quicker, more cost-effective results. Read More

MDO is different from the more conventional design approach in that it brings together in one framework the various aircraft design disciplines including aerodynamics, loads, structures, systems and manufacturing.

Besides enabling design concepts to be assessed much more rapidly, MDO helps the aircraft design to be optimised within the given constraints.

MDO methods can be used as part of a stand-alone software modelling suite directly for customers, or can be integrated with in-house design tools.

We have more than 40 years’ experience in non destructive testing and non-destructive evaluation (NDE) of the composite structures used in aircraft.

We are involved in collaborative programmes with academic research institutions and industry. Read More

Intelligent analysis
Our PinPoint™ system is an automated analysis technique that passes over the good parts, allowing users to focus on the areas that need intervention. We’re developing a 3-D system to provide enhanced information on materials and help predict the outcome for defects.

Visualising the environment
Our ANDSCAN^® products provides a visualisation environment to analyse data, which can be used with a range of NDE acquisition products and positioning systems.

In-service inspection
We provide support for in-service NDE of both metallic and composite aircraft. We have experience in crack and corrosion detection and impact damage in composites. Our fuels and lubricants experts offer a condition monitoring service to extend the life of your equipment.