The development of Wisk’s Generation 6 aircraft propulsion systems requires rigorous testing to ensure reliability and performance in real-world conditions. One of the critical stages in this process is the Integrated Boom Cross Flow Test.
This phase of testing focuses on maturing the propulsion system by testing it in configurations closer to what it will experience when integrated into an aircraft. The test enables complete propulsion systems that are integrated with an aircraft structure to be exposed to horizontal crosswise air flow during operation, simulating transition between vertical and horizontal flight.
The Key Benefits of Integrated Boom Cross Flow Testing:
- Realistic airflow: Evaluates propulsion performance and durability in crossflow environments, mimicking real-world flight conditions.
- De-risking critical hardware: Identifies potential failures or inefficiencies in the propulsion system early on, ensuring better safety and reliability.
- Optimizing system integration: Prepares the propulsion system for seamless integration into the aircraft structure.
- Foundation for higher fidelity testing: Provides essential data that informs more advanced testing, leading to more accurate simulations of full-flight scenarios.
The Integrated Boom Cross Flow testing stage serves as a key step in refining the propulsion system, focusing on real-world conditions and ensuring that it can deliver its required performance in the most challenging conditions before proceeding to the next stage of testing.