National Force Measurement Technology Capability

The aviation industry could not be more important to our nation's economic engine and our inner connectedness to the world. The research and development community has helped make the U.S. a leader in aviation thanks in part to their force and angle measurement capability. Force and angle measurement is the heart of any aeronautics research project and provides the fundamental information needed to govern flight to help support this effort. NASA formed a nationwide partnership called the National Force Measurement Technology Capability (NFMTC). Together the NFMTC helps develop the force and angle technology needed to perform cutting-edge research to characterize aerodynamic forces. Researchers use an internal balance and an angle of attack package to meet a variety of research requirements. New capabilities are also being developed including miniaturized angle of attack packages and additively manufactured wind tunnel balances. The NFMTC has recently contributed to a variety of aero and space projects including a performance characterization of next generation turbo fans, new open rotor engine concepts, and the supersonic retro propulsion forces of the Mars human lander. The NFMTC provides the fundamental support NASA and its partners need to advance aeronautic discovery.