Use birds to try the durability of fighter

The $ 105 million Eurofighter fighter must undergo a rigorous and rigorous testing process. In particular, including the use of birds and chickens to test.

Eurofighter is a new generation fighter engine built in three waves to decorate the Royal Air Force of some other countries in Europe. To develop the first Eurofighter models manufacturers have spent a decade. New models in stage two and three are in the testing phase.

Eurofighter is in position at the underground test site.

The leaded walls (1) of the Electronic Weapons Test Zone in Warton, Lancashire county in England, are covered with rubber foam cones to prevent electromagnetic radiation from leaking in or out. This is just one of dozens of devices used in Eurofighter testing.

Tests were performed using mobile generators (2) to ensure the aircraft could withstand electromagnetic pulses from nuclear weapons. A short but strong electric current up to 200,000 amps will be used to simulate a lightning strike during the test.

Commercial aircraft also have to undergo similar lightning tests, but because Eurofighter can fly twice as fast and reach a height of half the Boeing 747 type, tests on lightning are also engraved. much more harsh.

For that reason, Eurofighter is made primarily of carbon fiber compounds to reduce weight and on the body with special electrical channels (3) that run throughout the fuselage to bring the current of lightning to the ground does not damage the system or accidentally restart the aircraft's computer system.

In order for the aircraft's electronic combat system to be tested in electronic "quiet" conditions, the laboratory is surrounded from everything from radio waves to microwaves. Jets like Eurofighter are so equipped with so many sensors that it can be used as a modern battlefield reconnaissance aircraft when not fighting.

Eurofighter impact test with hydraulic system.

Electromagnetic pulse generators (4) can be placed anywhere in the room, and the floor can rotate to simulate many ground-to-air missiles attacks.

The enclosed space allows engineers to conduct Eurofighter reaction measurements. First of all, its sensors will 'listen' to find enemy radar, then the pilot can detect and detect threats, and release metal chips, electron beams or objects. Suspect behind the plane.

The spotlight on these aircraft is the ability to cope with everything from rain, hail, dust to collisions with birds, the manufacturer threw frozen chickens into the windshield at speed. High to try its stamina.

However, Eurofighter's endurance testing device is an automatic hydraulic system. The system will check the aircraft's pressure tolerance 24 hours a day, and the airframe in the photo has been 'tested' for 4,500 hours, longer than any Eurofighter aircraft on duty.

Each wing is tested with a force of up to 400 kN, equivalent to 50 small cars. After 6,000 hours of testing, the airframe considered to be under the pressure of 30 years of flight - the same life as a Eurofighter.