Pressure and Loads

High-Fidelity Pressure and Load Data for Airframe and Sensor Development

Calspan’s Pressure and Loads testing provides detailed measurement of surface pressures, aerodynamic loads, and air data system performance for aircraft and weapon systems. By incorporating ejector and mass flow plug instrumentation, Calspan can study the effects of varying inlet mass flow rates on air data probes and forebody installations. These tests capture pressure distributions and resulting forces and moments across critical components such as wings and control surfaces. The resulting data supports load analysis, airframe design refinement, and the development of accurate air data calibration databases for both stationary and rotating sensors.

Pressure and Load Measurement Capabilities

Calspan works closely with airframe manufacturers and system developers to evaluate aerodynamic loads through detailed pressure and load testing. Surface pressure measurements are acquired and analyzed to determine pressure distributions, resulting forces, and moments acting on the vehicle. These measurements provide insight into structural loading, control effectiveness, and overall aerodynamic behavior across the flight envelope.

Typical measurements include:

• Load intensities and pressure distributions
• Steady and unsteady pressure data
• Power spectral density analysis

Military Air Data Probes & Airframe Testing

Calspan supports the development and calibration of air data probes and conformal air data systems for military aircraft and weapons applications. Testing enables precise calibration of sensors under controlled aerodynamic conditions, supporting integration into flight control systems and navigation architectures. Research areas commonly addressed through this testing include improving stability and control for unmanned aircraft, understanding pressure differentials as a function of angle of attack, and optimizing pressure port placement for accuracy and reliability.