BAE Systems, EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE: The new BAE Systems Nimrod MRA4 has touched down at Eglin Air Force base in Florida, USA after its first transatlantic flight. During a six week visit the aircraft, which is taking part in its first deployment outside of Europe, will be subjected to rigorous environmental trials, undergoing a series of intensive tests in extreme temperatures, ranging from
-40 degrees C to +45 degrees C.
Trials are being undertaken at the McKinley Climatic Laboratory, owned by the US Department of Defense and operated on a 24/7 basis by BAE Systems. Its main test chamber is the largest facility of its kind in the world. During testing, Nimrod MRA4 will be positioned on jacks and chained to the ground while its engines are run, to create the optimum conditions for work being carried out.
Using the McKinley Climatic Laboratory allows testing of Nimrod MRA4 systems at any temperature, simply by programming a computer. Conditions ranging from the bitter cold of Alaska to hot dry desert heat of Arizona or anything in between can be simulated. Engineers will also be running simulations of day/night cycles as well as testing under high humidity and solar radiation conditions.
Joe Harland, Managing Director of the Nimrod MRA4 programme at BAE Systems states:
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