The future of
drone testing

WindShape provides testing solutions for supporting drone manufacturers with R&D testing and demonstration of compliance. In just a few days of testing, we provide quality data that are not available when testing in nature.

Unique expertise for a growing industry

WindShape support drone operators with periodic inspections and validation of operations. We help developing safety case for getting flight approval from the authorities.

Replicate any flight scenario

Flying a drone in controlled conditions, including wind, rain, variable temperatures, etc. is now possible. The WindShaper, our cutting-edge multi-fan wind generator empowers laboratory environments to accurately replicate and control wind conditions, changing the way flight testing is conducted.

A new world of possibilities

Thanks to controllable wind conditions, configurable hardware and modular setup, there are limitless combinations to test your drone. Our engineers are here to help you create a test plan, let us know how we can help you!

Any test,
any time

WindShape offers the possibility to test any system or subsystem in a repeatable environment. Stop wasting ressources for chasing the right test conditions in nature, contact us and book a slot.

State-of-the-art test facilities

Discover our 20,000 sqft test facility in Tulsa, OK (USA), equipped with different labs to test all aspects of a drone, including flight capabilities, response to failure, flying in adverse conditions.

Testing in a repeatable environment allows to collect the quality data needed to reach higher performance or demonstrate safety.

Two large flight labs to test drones up to 17ft (flight lab 1) and 10ft (flight lab 2) in free flight in repeatable operational conditions.

Examples of Services
— Recreate flight scenarios with apparent wind up to 25m/s (55mph | 90km/h)
— Evaluate ability to fly with wind and turbulence
— Demonstrate system’s response to failure while in flight

Anechoic chamber compliant with RTCA DO-160G to perform RF emissions and susceptibility tests.

Examples of Services
— Demonstrate aircraft’s compliance with RTCA DO-160G
— Evaluate and demonstrate system’s robustness to spoofing
— Validate system’s ability to operate with electromagnetic interference

Equipped for testing subsystems including propulsion units, batteries, control systems, electronics, mechanical parts, etc.

Examples of Services
— Test durability, reliability, or performance of propulsion units
— Test electronic systems in various conditions
— Test mechanical elements under stress

Accommodate drones up to 10ft to validate resilience to rain and demonstrate operational safety in adverse weather.

Examples of Services
— Repeatable flight test with wind and rain
— Identify water ingress in real operational conditions
— Analyze drone design to prevent failures due to water

Accommodate drones up to 10ft to validate resilience to a wide range of temperatures and demonstrate operational safety in adverse weather.

Examples of Services
— Repeatable flight test with wind at different temperatures
— Demonstrate flight capabilities with icing conditions
— Analyze drone design to prevent failures due to temperature

Engineering team to support with compliance strategy, safety and performance analysis, and test planning.

Examples of Services
– Build a compliance strategy from the beginning of a project
– Create a maintain aircraft and operation’s safety case
– Perform FMEA (Failure Mode and Effect Analysis) at different levels

Room in free access to prepare (and repair) drones before testing. Equipped with basic workshop tools, including electronic equipment, hand tools, and 3D printers.

Examples of Services
– Unpacking and prepare equipment for a test session
– Repair or modify drone systems between tests
– Analyze data and results between sessions

Develop and manufacture test rigs, test benches and support customers with prototype development.

Examples of Services
– Design and manufacture test prototypes, fixtures, or specialized test benches
– Modify or repair aircraft to prepare for test sessions
– Safely store customer equipment between test sessions

The WindShaper, what makes the difference

Windshaper, our cutting-edge multi-fan wind generator, empowers laboratory environments to accurately replicate and control wind conditions, revolutionizing the way wind testing and research are conducted.

Windshapers

Stay in the loop

Discover the world of wind testing by following our research and analysis. Keep up to date with the latest news by subscribing with your e-mail to our newsletter:

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Get access to our research.

Title
Published on
Date
Paper Excerpt
Development of a free-flight wind test facility featuring a GNSS Simulator to achieve immersive drone testing

Authors : Guillaume Catry, Nicolas Bosson, Andy Thurling, Aleksandar Dzodic, Peter Le Porin, Ningshan Wang, Amit K Sanyal, Mark Glauser, Flavio Noca

AIAA Journal

December 2021

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Paper Excerpt
Flow shaping in a WindShaper for testing free-flying drones in adverse weather

Authors : Flavio Noca , Thierry Bujard, Geshanth Visvaratnam, Guillaume Catry, Nicolas Bosson

AIAA Journals

July 2021

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Research paper
Performance Analysis of Rotorcraft Propulsion Units in a Combination of Wind and Icing Conditions

Understanding behavior and performance of rotorcrafts (commonly known as drones or UAV) in adverse weather and harsh flight environments is a prerequisite to developing meaningful test protocols for the validation and certification of these flying systems.

AIAA Aviation Forum

January 2021
Paper Excerpt
Aeroacoustic measurements on a free-flying drone in a WindShaper wind tunnel

Authors : Roberto Putzu , Romain Boulandet, Benjamin Rutschmann, Thierry Bujard, Guillaume Catry, Nicolas Bosson.

Quiet Drones Symposium

October 2020
Paper Excerpt
Wind and weather facility for testing free-flying drones

Authors : Flavio Noca, Guillaume Catry, Nicolas Bosson, Luca J. Bardazzi, Sergio Márquez, Albéric Gros

AIAA Aviation 2019 Forum

June 2019

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