Aerospace Testing InternationalAerospace Testing International
  • News
    • A-E
      • Acoustic & Vibration
      • Avionics
      • Data Acquisition
      • Defense
      • Drones & Air Taxis
      • Electric & Hybrid
      • EMC
      • Engine Testing
      • Environmental Testing
    • F-L
      • Fatigue Testing
      • Flight Testing
      • Helicopters & Rotorcraft
      • High Speed Imaging
      • Industry News
    • M-S
      • Materials Testing
      • NDT
      • Simulation & Training
      • Software
      • Space
      • Structural Testing
      • Supplier News
    • T-Z
      • Technology
      • Telemetry & Communications
      • Weapons Testing
      • Wind Tunnels
  • Features
  • Magazines
    • March 2025
    • Dec 2024/Jan 2025
    • Showcase 2025
    • September 2024
    • June 2024
    • Archive Issues
    • Subscribe Free!
  • Opinion
  • Webinars
  • Events
    • All Events
    • Aerospace Test & Development Show
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Suppliers
    • Supplier Spotlights
    • Press Releases
    • Technical Papers
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job – It’s FREE!
    • Manage Jobs (Employers)
LinkedIn YouTube X (Twitter)
LinkedIn YouTube X (Twitter)
Subscribe to magazine Subscribe to email newsletter Media Pack
Aerospace Testing InternationalAerospace Testing International
  • News
      • Acoustic & Vibration
      • Avionics
      • Data Acquisition
      • Defense
      • Drones & Air Taxis
      • Electric & Hybrid
      • EMC
      • Engine Testing
      • Environmental Testing
      • Fatigue Testing
      • Flight Testing
      • Helicopters & Rotorcraft
      • High Speed Imaging
      • Industry News
      • Materials Testing
      • NDT
      • Simulation & Training
      • Software
      • Space
      • Structural Testing
      • Supplier News
      • Technology
      • Telemetry & Communications
      • Weapons Testing
      • Wind Tunnels
  • Features
  • Magazines
    1. March 2025
    2. Dec 2024/Jan 2025
    3. Showcase 2025
    4. September 2024
    5. June 2024
    6. March 2024
    7. Archive Issues
    8. Subscribe Free!
    Featured
    19th March 2025

    In this issue: March 2025

    Online Magazines By Ben Sampson
    Recent

    In this issue: March 2025

    19th March 2025
    contents and front cover of magazine

    In this issue: December / January 2025

    19th December 2024
    Showcase 2025

    In this issue – Showcase 2025

    6th November 2024
  • Opinion
  • Webinars
  • Events
    • All Events
    • Aerospace Test & Development Show
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Suppliers
    • Supplier Spotlights
    • Press Releases
    • Technical Papers
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job – It’s FREE!
    • Manage Jobs (Employers)
LinkedIn YouTube X (Twitter)
Aerospace Testing InternationalAerospace Testing International
Materials Testing

UK researchers to reshape aerospace ‘testing pyramid’

Ben SampsonBy Ben Sampson16th January 20192 Mins Read
Share LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email
A3501-1000
The A350-XWB uses high levels of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic in its airframe (Image: Airbus)

UK researchers have begun a £7m (US$9 million) project to develop new ways of testing and certifying composite aero structures.

The five year Certification for Design: Reshaping the Testing Pyramid (CerTest) project aims to provide new testing and certification methods and approaches that will enable more structurally efficient and lightweight airframes to be developed and used.

The project will be led by engineers from the University of Southampton and will involve researchers from the University of Bristol, the University of Bath and the University of Exeter, as well as industry partners such as Airbus, GKN Aerospace, Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems.

According to the researchers, current test, simulation and certification approaches are holding back the use of the most advanced composites in aircraft. The project aims to reshape the so-called “testing pyramid” of validation and certification processes, to enable “step-changes” in the design and manufacture of future composite aero structures.

The research will use virtual testing and the data-rich experimentation of aero structure components and substructures to reduce the weight of airframes and drive down the cost and time needed for development and testing.

Ole Thomsen, professor of structures and materials at the University of Southampton, said, “This funding is essential to enable continued growth of the UK aerospace industry and move towards more sustainable aviation. It fills a knowledge gap, where there is no equivalent capability in the UK or internationally.

“Using world class expertise, this program will embrace new materials and processes, by addressing an urgent need in aero structures design.

“It is not our job to certify aircraft. Our job is to deliver scientific breakthroughs that realize the aviation sector’s vision, to support their work with advanced research and to help save them time and money.”

Share. Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Email
Previous ArticleChina’s Sky Hawk drone makes first flight
Next Article Researchers make breakthrough in ice-repelling materials
Ben Sampson

Ben has worked as a journalist and editor, covering technology, engineering and industry for the last 20 years. Initially writing about subjects from nuclear submarines to autonomous cars to future design and manufacturing technologies, he was editor of a leading UK-based engineering magazine before becoming editor of Aerospace Testing in 2017.

Related Posts

Materials Testing

Glasgow NextSpace facility to test 3D printed space materials

14th May 20253 Mins Read
Materials Testing

Self-healing polymer developed for spacecraft protection

6th May 20254 Mins Read
Materials Testing

TAU private laser accelerator center to open after $20m investment

29th April 20253 Mins Read
Latest Posts

dSPACE expands Scalexio platform for HIL testing

23rd May 2025

AIR cargo eVTOL completes night flight testing

22nd May 2025

Astrolight raises €2.8m to build optical space communications network

22nd May 2025
Supplier Spotlights
Our Social Channels
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
Getting in Touch
  • Subscribe To Magazine
  • Contact Us
  • Meet the Team
  • Media Pack
Related Topics
  • Aircraft Interiors
  • Business Jet Interiors
FREE WEEKLY NEWS EMAIL!

Get the 'best of the week' from this website direct to your inbox every Wednesday

© 2023 Mark Allen Group Ltd | All Rights Reserved
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.