MBDA UK, part of the MBDA Group, is leading the Geometry Handling and Integration (GHandI) project, valued at $7.8 million, one of seven major new collaborative research and development projects to enhance the capability to support innovation in aerospace technology.
The program falls under the Aerospace Growth Partnership launched by the British government and the U.K. Center of Aerodynamics.
The investment is shared between the Technology Strategy Board, the United Kingdom’s innovation agency, and industry. It brings together key organizations in the U.K. aerodynamics community that are leading the exploration and optimization of novel airframe shapes through rapid, robust, and efficient processes.
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| MBDA Missile Undergoing High Speed Wind Tunnel Tests Photo: MBDA |
The project will develop improved modeling techniques to address the significant challenges faced when modeling airframe geometry and airflows in support of novel airframe design.
It will also facilitate knowledge sharing and cross-fertilization via complementary research activities, and establish innovative capabilities and shared understanding, MBDA said in a statement.
Consortium members will bring their strategic research partners into the project, together with the project’s nominated world-leading scientific/technical experts. This is expected to strengthen links with academia and the U.K. skill base in simulation and design. Networking to the wider UK research community will be achieved through these partners for both input and dissemination.
The MBDA-led team comprises key manufacturers–EADS Airbus Operations, Rolls Royce and BAE Systems; aerodynamic modelling and technology providers–Transcendata, Altran UK Ltd, ARA and and Academia–Queens University Belfast and the Universities of Bristol, Cambridge, Southampton and Strathclyde.
CFMS, a not-for-profit simulation company, are providing a supporting coordination and dissemination role.
MBDA Executive Group Director Technical and Managing Director UK Steve Wadey, said: “For MBDA, improving high-fidelity aerodynamic modeling techniques for complex airframes is essential for our future missile designs. Through partnering with the wider aerodynamics community and working with such a range of technical experts in industry and academia, we are able to collectively develop and share techniques that will benefit the wider competitiveness of the U.K. Aerospace industry.”