Boeing begins wind tunnel tests on 777X aircraft

Boeing has started low-speed wind tunnel tests for the Boeing 777X at defence technology firm QinetiQ’s test facility in Farnborough, UK.

The development marks a major milestone for the 777X programme since its launch last month.

Wind tunnel models allow experts to test various configurations for the aircraft, while low-speed tests evaluate performance of the airliner with a range of high-lift surface settings to simulate takeoff and landing conditions.

Expected to be completed in five months, the low-speed model currently being tested is a 0.05% of the baseline 777X, which is 4.22m long with a wing-span of 3.92m.

The variant features hundreds of sensors to measure pressure to determine the in-flight loads, as well as provide diagnostics of the aerodynamic performance of the design.

Boeing stated that it will conduct the testing at its Transonic Wind Tunnel in Seattle in 2014 to further validate 777X high-speed performance projections.

777X programme vice-president and chief project engineer Terry Beezhold said: "Wind tunnel testing will validate our performance models and generate a vast amount of data that our engineering teams will use to design the airplane in this phase of development.

"We are on track to complete our top-level design in 2014 and reach firm configuration in 2015."

Designed to respond to market needs and customer preferences, the 777X range includes the 777-8X and the 777-9X, featuring the GE9X commercial engine and a high-efficiency composite wing that has a longer span over the existing 777.

Boeing has recently concluded an agreement with QinetiQ, which will extend the wind tunnel partnership at Farnborough for an additional five years.

The 777X has to date logged 259 orders and commitments from Emirates, Etihad, Lufthansa and Qatar Airways.

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Image: Wind tunnel models allow experts to test various configurations for the aircraft. Photo courtesy of Boeing.