The laboratory is equipped with a series of wind tunnels of
various sizes for research in all velocity ranges where
aircraft operate. In these wind tunnels NLR carries out
aerodynamic and aeroelastic investigations on aircraft and
aircraft structures. The use of these facilities contributed
substantially to the development of the Fokker 50, Fokker 100,
several Airbus types and combat aircraft such as the Tornado
and the Alpha Jet. NLR also contributes substantially to the
wind tunnel investigations of Ariane launchers and ESA's space
shuttle Hermes.
In a special anechoic wind tunnel aerodynamic and acoustic
research programmes are carried out in order to reduce
jet-engine noise.