Arnold Engineering Development Center
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC), located on Arnold Air Force Base, is the most advanced and largest complex of flight simulation test facilities in the world. Originated in 1951, the center operates 58 aerodynamic and propulsion wind tunnels, rocket and turbine engine test cells, space environmental chambers, arc heaters, ballistic ranges, and other specialized units. Currently, AEDC's prime contractor is the Aerospace Testing Alliance.
It is a United States Air Force Air Force Materiel Command facility and national resource, having helped develop practically every aerospace system in the U.S. government's inventory. It is named for General Henry "Hap" Arnold, the father of the United States Air Force, and an air power visionary. The University of Tennessee Space Institute (UTSI) is located adjacent to AEDC.
[edit] Facilities
- The Hypervelocity Wind Tunnel 9 is located off site at Silver Spring, Maryland
[edit] History
AEDC, as it is generally known, lies near Manchester, Tennessee and Tullahoma, Tennessee and occupies much of the site of the former Camp Forrest, a U.S. Army base and World War II prisoner of war camp.
