Facility Overview

As regulations governing the icing certification of modern engines become more stringent, traditional facilities are no longer able to fulfill the changing requirements. GLACIER is a unique outdoor test center, which will become the principal outlet for icing certification and cold weather testing. GLACIER is a multi-OEM outdoor engine icing test facility; as an engine-generic facility, the infrastructure and test systems are designed to accommodate the introduction of current and future aerospace gas turbine engines.

Test Stand Capability

The test facility will accommodate the largest aircraft engine in existence today, and will support the future growth of gas turbine engines of up to 150,000 lbs force thrust and 32,000 lbs reverse thrust with fan diameters of up to 140 inches. The four post test stand oriented in the direction of the prevailing winds will house a high accuracy thrust measurement system, and an integral engine docking system for quick engine installation and removal. Testing will be conducted from the warm comfort of a control complex, outfitted with a state-of-the-art proDAS data acquisition system.

Icing System Capability

Integral to the center’s performance, the test stand will be equipped with a MDS and NRC Icing System. The system consists of a direct connect icing tunnel and multiple spray bars to control both water concentration and droplet diameters GLACIER will establish a baseline for aircraft icing certification worldwide, and will be the first and only facility capable of certifying new growth engines under current and future regulatory requirements (FAA Appendix X; e.g., super large droplets and mixed phase threats).

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