NATO MUltimedia

Have you ever wondered how aircraft are designed? Aerodynamics is vital to the development of military aircraft for NATO Allies. Here is Project Aerodynamicist Kerstin Huber to explain more.

Have you ever wondered how aircraft are designed? Aerodynamics, and its use in the development and optimisation of military aircraft, is vital to the success of NATO air missions. Here to explain more is Kerstin Huber, Project Aerodynamicist at German-Dutch Wind Tunnels (DNW).

DNW is one of the most advanced wind tunnel testing organisations in Europe. It provides critical infrastructure to NATO nations, accelerating their developments of capabilities in the field of military aircraft. Scientists from DNW take part in international research groups of NATO’s Science and Technology Organization (STO), providing valuable scientific expertise and experimental data that help the Alliance adapt and prepare for future security challenges.

Footage includes various shots of wind tunnels and aerodynamicists demonstrating how the wind tunnel works on model aircraft.

1. (00:00) VARIOUS SHOTS – MODEL AIRCRAFT IN WIND TUNNEL SURROUNDED BY SMOKE
2. (00:21) MID SHOT – MODEL AIRCRAFT IN WIND TUNNEL
3. (00:27) MID SHOTS – DEMONSTRATION OF LASERS AND SMOKE ON MODEL AIRCRAFT IN WIND TUNNEL
4. (00:40) MID SHOT – PROJECT AERODYNAMICIST KERSTIN HUBER WAVING IN FRONT OF WIND TUNNEL
5. (00:46) MID SHOT – KERSTIN HUBER PUTS ON WHITE SCIENTIST JACKET
6. (00:51) VARIOUS SHOTS – KERSTIN HUBER PREPARES AND INSPECTS WIND TUNNEL BEFORE USE
7. (01:01) CLOSE UP SHOTS – MODEL AIRCRAFT
8. (01:11) VARIOUS TIMELAPSE SHOTS – WORKERS MOVING PARTS OF WIND TUNNEL AND SLIDING DOOR OPEN
9. (01:29) AERIAL SHOT – BUILDING HOUSING GERMAN-DUTCH WIND TUNNEL
10. (01:38) VARIOUS INTERIOR AERIAL SHOTS – GERMAN-DUTCH WIND TUNNEL
11. (01:50) VARIOUS SHOTS – LASER TESTING IN GERMAN-DUTCH WIND TUNNEL
12. (02:08) VARIOUS CLOSE UP SHOTS – SCIENTIST HOLDING MODEL AND PAPER AIRCRAFT
13. (02:22) SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) – KERSTIN HUBER, PROJECT AERODYNAMICIST

“So our tunnel can generate flow speeds up to twice the speed of sound, which is comparable to around 2,000 kilometres per hour.”
(02:34)
“During win tunnel testing, we record forces and moments, and pressures around the aircraft, which helps us to analyse how the aircraft actually behaves when it flies. So this information is then used for optimisation or the design of new aircraft. It makes aircraft more fuel-efficient. It makes aircraft safer to fly. Without understanding the aerodynamics, we wouldn’t be able to fly.”