Automotive Testing in the German-Dutch Wind Tunnels

Abstract

The Foundation German-Dutch Wind Tunnels (DNW) was jointly established in 1976 by the Dutch National Aerospace Laboratory (NLR) and the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), as a non-profit organisation under Dutch law. The main objective of the organisation is to provide a wide spectrum of wind tunnel tests and simulation techniques to customers from industry, government and research. DNW owns the largest low-speed wind tunnel with open and closed test section options in Europe. Also the major aeronautical wind tunnels of the DLR and NLR are fully integrated and managed by the DNW organisation. The wind tunnels are grouped into two Business Units "Noordoostpolder/ Amsterdam" (NOP/ ASD) and "Göttingen und Köln" (GUK). DNW provides solutions for the experimental simulation requirements of aerodynamic research and development projects. These projects can originate in the research community (universities, research establishments or research consortia) or in the course of industrial development of new products. Most of the industrial development projects come from the aeronautical industry, but the automotive, civil engineering, shipbuilding and sports industries have also benefited from DNW’s capabilities. For efficient and flexible operations, DNW operates in a decentralised structure under a unified management and supervision. The seat of its Management is in Marknesse, at the location of its largest wind tunnel, the DNW-LLF. DNW’s Board, the supervisory body of the Foundation, consists of representatives of the parent institutes NLR and DLR, and is complemented by representatives of the relevant ministries from Germany and the Netherlands. In order to assure the compatibility of DNW’s development strategy with the long-term needs of the research and development market, an Advisory Committee consisting of high- level representatives of participants in the market provides strategic advice and information to DNW.