ASSIST Research Programme: Icing Wind Tunnel Test Campaign Successfully Completed

Within the framework of the ASSIST (Aero Structure & System Innovative Smart Technologies) research programme, Leonardo Aeronautics commissioned CIRA to carry out an Icing Wind Tunnel (IWT) test campaign in support of the development of the Ice Protection System (IPS) for an innovative aircraft. The campaign was successfully completed, achieving all the planned test objectives.

The IPS under investigation was based on pneumatic boot de-icing technology developed by SAFRAN Aerosystems. The objectives of the test campaign were:

• to validate the ice accretion analyses used to predict the ice shapes and define the de-icing cycle timing through measurements of the ice accreted in the IWT;
• to verify the performance of the de-icing system by evaluating ice shedding efficiency and residual ice formations.

The IWT test campaign was carried out between May and June 2026. Tests were performed on two 2D specimens installed in the Secondary Test Section (STS) of the IWT over a wide range of airspeeds, at temperatures down to −30 °C, and at simulated altitudes from sea level to 20 kft.