Research infrastructure

Our Advanced Mechanical Manufacturing Facility specialises in high-tech, high-spec lightweight structural concepts for wind tunnel models in metal, laminates, and composites. We offer a comprehensive range of services, including product design, topology optimisation, production concept assessment, and manufacturing of prototype structures, smart wind tunnel models, and small production runs. By utilising 3D printing technology (metal additive manufacturing), we can enhance product performance thanks to the freedom of design and the ability to create complex internal structures that minimise weight while maximising performance with advanced materials.

The ACM3 Field lab (Automated Composites Manufacturing, Metal Manufacturing and Maintenance) is a world-class facility that offers high-tech equipment and expertise for the development of lightweight products. Its primary focus is on paving the way for automated manufacturing of advanced composite structures, with a strong emphasis on supporting the composites industry and companies that are looking to adopt these materials. By bringing together the collective research capabilities of leading research centres, universities, and specialised businesses, the facility creates a unique ecosystem that enables collaboration, innovation, and knowledge-sharing.is a well-equipped, state-of-the-art field facility that makes high-tech equipment available for the development of lightweight products. It serves to prepare the way towards automated manufacturing of advanced composite structures, largely in support of the ‘composites’ industry, but also of enterprises, which are new to this material. The facility brings together the complementary research capabilities of research centres, universities and specialised small enterprises and industries.

The Avionics Prototyping Environment for Research and Operations (APERO) is a versatile and transportable research flight simulator designed to facilitate a range of applications, including avionics display design and evaluation, demonstration of innovative cockpit concepts, part-task training exercises, and networked flight simulation scenarios.

Materials and equipment used in aerospace applications have to meet a wide range of special requirements, mainly due to the specific environment in which aircraft and spacecraft have to perform reliably and safely. NLR’s extensive capabilities and expertise in the field of airworthiness certification is complemented with state-of-art research infrastructure for aerospace systems performance and airworthiness compliance testing.

The Flow Duct Facility (NLR-FDF) contributes to research on noise reduction techniques to reduce aircraft noise. The research is carried out during the early development phase (low TRL) or to improve existing systems. The research is conducted during the early development phase (low TRL) or to improve existing systems. The FDF is a closed-loop wind tunnel for testing sound in turbine simulation at flow dimensions and speeds. Upstream and downstream of the test section, anechoic chambers are positioned to accurately measure sound levels.

The NLR Metal Additive Manufacturing Technology Centre (MAMTeC) covers more than 50 years of materials experience in aerospace applications, technology development and product innovation. NLR can help you develop the process more efficiently, from optimised parameters, post-processing approaches, evaluation of mechanical properties, design optimisation and process simulation through to the qualification and certification of metal–additive manufacturing (AM) products.

NARSIM is a real-time, human in the loop (HITL) Air Traffic Control (ATC) simulator capable of simulating the full working environment and working conditions of air traffic controllers in detail. As such, it provides a platform for training, validation and conducting research in a controlled environment on all aspects of air traffic control and the air traffic controller. These facilities are used for research and development of new user-interfaces, user-interaction, ATC system support, new and revised concepts of operation and development & assessment of ATC training and its effectiveness.

The NLR Drone Centre provides a dedicated environment for conducting (experimental) flight tests, evaluations, and demonstrations of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and sensor applications, as well as facilitating UAS concept development. The NLR Drone Centre in Marknesse has its own restricted airspace with the necessary authorisations and exemptions to facilitate these activities. It offers developers, manufacturers and business users, both civil and military, the opportunity to carry out test flights needed to take advantage of the opportunities offered by UAS developments. 

NLR’s research aircraft are essential for testing new flight procedures and technologies. NLR operates two research aircraft: the Cessna Citation II and the electric Pipistrel Velis Electro.

NLR’s research aircraft are essential for testing new flight procedures and technologies. NLR operates two research aircraft: the Cessna Citation II and the electric Pipistrel Velis Electro.

NLR acts as a one-stop-shop for “Non-Standard” testing and certification of aircraft parts, structures and materials. The Test House facilitates inspection, testing, characterisation and failure analysis. This can be done on material level, coupon level, component level or full-scale level.

Materials and equipment used in aerospace applications have to meet a wide range of special requirements, mainly due to the specific environment in which aircraft and spacecraft have to perform reliably and safely. NLR’s extensive capabilities and expertise in the field of airworthiness certification is complemented with state-of-art research infrastructure for aerospace systems performance and airworthiness compliance testing.

Materials and equipment used in aerospace applications have to meet a wide range of special requirements, mainly due to the specific environment in which aircraft and spacecraft have to perform reliably and safely. NLR’s extensive capabilities and expertise in the field of airworthiness certification is complemented with state-of-art research infrastructure for aerospace systems performance and airworthiness compliance testing.