31 Aug

STARCS took in June 2011 the decision to make a substantial reduction of its testing activities and focus on aerodynamics studies, low speed wind tunnel testing and manufacturing of test equipment.

The decision is based on commercial analysis with the conclusion that it is not possible for a private company like Sjöland & Thyselius / STARCS to without governmental funding operate large testing facilities on a commercial basis. The reality is that all our competitors have governmental funding, this together with a decline in number of aircraft projects has lead to falling prices down to a level below our critical. In addition we also face high running costs for the facilities, such as electricity and even though we during the last year have had full occupancy it has not been financially sustainable in the long term.

We have since the privatization kept a continuous dialogue with relevant authorities and companies in Sweden about the value and potential of the facilities and related competence of the employees. Sjöland & Thyselius / STARCS are open to discussions that can change the situation, and welcomes proposals from authorities and companies.

STARCS has in relatively short time established good contacts with some 25 countries and has performed aerodynamic test projects for; Norway, France, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, within the European Union's Framework Program and the European Space Agency, among others.

The aerodynamic activities has expanded to new sectors and now includes, in addition to aerospace, activities related to testing of antennas, automotive, marine industry and architecture constructions.

Aerodynamic technology within aviation and space is generally in the forefront and STARCS ambitions for its future services is to utilize this technology in other industries such as automotive, trains and wind power, which we believe will be a competitive advantage.

The 7 ^th of February STARCS inaugurated its new office in India, Bangalore. The office will serve as a hub for the ASEAN region and besides India work with Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore. Mr. Aravind Venkatesh, previous from the Swedish Trade council, is appointed Vice president – ASEAN and will act as the manager for the office. For more information please contact Ms. Johanna Telander – Vice President International Affairs. 

7 Feb

STARCS extends its cooperation with academia

Dr. Per Davidsson demonstrates the alignment procedures for the schlieren optics.

17 Jan

STARCS new member of Swedish Aerospace Industries, SAI
STARCS has now earned the membership of SAI. As part of the SAI network, STARCS will have more possibilities to collaborate with government offices and ministries, authorities, institutes of higher education and other participants in the business.

SAI is a nonprofit organization with the scope to improve the aerospace industry conditions, both in Sweden and internationally. SAI represents the Swedish aerospace industry in the ASD (Aerospace and Defense Industries Association of Europe) and in contacts with other European authorities and organizations. For more information about SAI; see their web-site; www.sai-sweden

31 Dec

STARCS Year Chronicle for 2010 – A year with strong growth and many new partners outside Sweden

STARCS annual report shows strong growth, reflecting STARCS ability to couple economic efficiency with broad scientific influence. Over the last two years, the turnover has increased by over 100% annually. This performance is even more remarkable considering that it occurred in a year that saw a downturn in civil aviation projects in Europe. 

It´s only two and a half years ago since STARCS was founded by Sjöland&Thyselius when FOI, the Swedish Defence Research Institute, sold out their experimental aerodynamic operation; wind tunnels, turbo machinery facility and personnel. The operation was a research institute for 68 years but since 2008 we have succeeded to transform it from an institute with governmental funding to a commercial company exclusively relaying on a private market.

There has been a lot of business development during 2010 aiming at broadening the market to all appropriate markets that needs aerodynamic research and development and we are now active in markets regarding aircraft, spacecraft, missiles, engines, trains, trucks, cars, boats, wind power and construction details. We have also broaden our services so that in addition to aerodynamic studies, calculations and testing it also includes a large product selection regarding aerodynamic test equipment; balances, calibrations rigs, wind tunnel models, control- and measurement system, wind tunnels and test facilities for compressors, turbines and satellite engines.

We have participated in several international research programmes spanning from wind tunnel tests of European Re entry vehicles (IXV) to participate in solving icing problematic on wind power blade. We have also established cooperation with technical high schools and even started to participate in teaching last grade student in aerospace programmes at technical high schools. Everything in purpose to maintain our technical skills and building networks.

We have made substantial improvement of our testing facilities regarding accuracy and productivity. For example we have replaced the control systems for our transonic and low speed tunnels, we have rebuild parts of our calibration rigs and have further developed our methodology for store separation tests.

This year STARCS also earned a partner agreement with the FOI that convey that we uncomplicated can participate in international research programmes and more easily make use of governmental agreements between Sweden and foreign countries. 

Today, in the commercial aircraft, spacecraft and transport business, no matter how large or small your business is, everyone are experiencing the same issues -- fierce competition from all over the globe.

STARCS way to survive is to make use of the possibilities that we are a unique company in sense that we combine to be a small private independent company with large testing facilities, and accordingly has the possibility to act as an independent aerodynamic R&D facility for larger product companies and governments. There has been a lot of travelling during the year since we have looked intensively for new international business opportunities and partnerships regarding cooperation in research programs, studies, calculation, testing and selling test equipment.

STARCS is really in an expansionary period and has during 2010 expanded not only in turnover but also in number of employees both regarding technical and market competencies. The promise and the challenge of our journey in 2011 will be to establish long term cooperation partners on new technical and geographical markets.

See y ou next Year!

Mikael Tjernlund, President and CEO, STARCS

2 Dec

One stage compressor successfully tested in STARCS KPR

STARCS have successfully completed testing of the Volvo Aero Corporation test compressor Hulda. The compressor was a one stage fan demonstrator with a Blisk (Blade integrated disk) rotor. With the aim to increase the performance of a military jet engine the compressor was designed for high pressure ratio. The predicted pressure ratio was achieved and exceeded and the full operational envelope of the compressor was explored. The result and experience from the testing will be used for a coming engine demonstration of a military engine fan in full scale. The increase in performance achieved by the demonstrator will lead to higher thrust to weight ratio for a military application but can also be used to reduce the weight of a civil high speed booster by allowing for a reduction of the number of stages needed and thus contribute to a more fuel efficient engine. Torbjörn Salomonson project manager at Volvo Aero said after the test was completed “The people at STARCS are experienced and competent and the challenging and highly complex test plan was executed efficiently”.

Inlet of Hulda Compressor

8 July

Successful tests of European Experimental Space Vehicle by STARCS

STARCS has during Q2 2010 performed wind tunnel tests of the Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV) which is the European Space Agency (ESA) re-entry system and technologies demonstrator. The IXV is paving the way to European autonomous space transportation and exploration endeavors.

STARCS assignment was to provide complementary aerodynamic characterization of the IXV vehicle with emphasis on the Descent & Recovery System initialization phase. The wind tunnel tests were performed at speeds ranging from Mach 0.3 to Mach 1.7 and included obtaining aerodynamic forces and moments for longitudinal and lateral characteristics, local static pressures, Schlieren visualization and a first wake investigation and flow field identification using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV).

“This has been a very important commission for us since the IXV is part of ESA’s Future Launchers Preparatory Programme. The IXV has also been devoted to optimizing a long-term European roadmap for in-flight experimentation with atmospheric re-entry enabling systems and technologies.” says Mikael Tjernlund CEO at STARCS.

STARCS performed the project as a subcontractor to Dassault Aviation and the work was funded by ESA. Dassault is very satisfied with the tests and the project manager at Dassault, Jean-Pierre TRIBOT, commented after the test was completed “STARCS performed the highly sophisticated tests with proficiency and flexibility”.

26 April

STARCS signs framework agreement with the Swedish Defence Research Agency, FOI.

The 22:nd of April 2010, STARCS has signed a framework agreement with the Swedish Defence Research Agency, FOI. The agreement means that STARCS together with FOI has identified a common long term interest to cooperate within areas such as, for example, conceptual studies, flight performance analysis, flight mechanics, aerodynamics, fluid mechanics, propulsion and measurement technology. In addition, both parties are interested in general exchange of information regarding research and technology development. The agreement is in line with STARCS’ strategy to stay in the frontline of technical development and to, together with partners, be able to undertake larger scale commissions.

Contract signing by Acting Director-General of FOI, Jan-Olof Lind (to the right), and STARCS CEO, Mikael Tjernlund.

18 Feb

STARCS participate in Swedish business delegation to Brazil

Mikael Tjernlund, President and CEO of STARCS, will participate in a Swedish business delegation that visits Brazil on the 23-26 March 2010. The visit is in connection to the Swedish State Visit on the same time at the invitation of President Lula da Silva.

We believe that the business relations between Sweden and Brazil, especially regarding aeronautical R&D, has a bright future ahead with a lot of potential synergies. STARCS intention is to establish long term cooperation with companies and institutes in Brazil.

STARCS is the largest commercial centre for aerodynamic research & development in Scandinavia. After 70 years as s state owned research institute our business was in 2008 transformed into a private company. Since then, STARCS has been looking intensively for new international business opportunities and partnerships.

11 Feb

Visit from the Swedish Commitee on Defence

STARCS recently had the privilege to receive a visit from the Chairman of the Swedish Committee on Defence, Mr. Anders Karlsson. STARCS was represented by owner Mr. Magnus Sjöland, Business Area Manager Fredrik Pehrsson, Technical Manager Per Davidsson and Senior Project Manager Kristoffer Danèl. After an initial discussion regarding the national interest of maintaining advanced laboratories for aeronautical R & D such as STARCS to sustain a competitive level for Sweden in both in civil and military aeronautics and, not the least, the potential job opportunities, Mr. Karlsson was given a guided tour around the facilities.

Demonstration of the transonic wind tunnel T1500. (Mr. Karlsson second from the left.)

5 Feb

Another successful compressor test completed for Volvo Aero Corporation

STARCS have successfully completed testing of the Volvo Aero Corporation test Compressor Blenda. The compressor is designed to have a high pressure ratio for each stage making it possible to reduce the number of stages and thereby reducing the overall system weight for the engine. This will lead to reduced airplane weight and a lower fuel consumption.

“The experienced and competent personnel at STARCS enabled the demanding and highly complex test plan to be carried through smoothly” project manager at Volvo, Torbjörn Salomonson commented after the test was completed.

29 Dec

Artist impression of the Stockholm Water Front building.

27 Nov

STARCS enters agreement with Volvo Car Corporation

Through a unique cooperation with Volvo Car Corporation, STARCS can now offer testing in VCC's large subsonic wind tunnel, PVT. Together with STARCS' own mid-size, low speed wind tunnel LT1 and the smaller LT5 it forms a strong offer covering almost any need for low speed aerodynamic testing: Whereas LT1 can offer very cost efficient multipurpose testing, sufficient for most cases, PVT answers to specific requirements like a larger cross section and advanced ground simulation. With STARCS' long experience from designing custom setups for all kinds of wind tunnel tests, PVT becomes an outstanding tool for all kinds of subsonic testing. With a cross section of 27 m2, a maximum wind speed of 70 m/s and state-of-the-art boundary layer control the PVT wind tunnel is one of the most advanced wind tunnels of its kind in the world.

Read more about what STARCS can offer in PVT .

17 Nov

STARCS test for Clean Sky project AIDA

STARCS’ Compressor Test Facility, KPR, serves as the only testing resource on high speed testing of the compressor in the Clean Sky project AIDA (Aggressive Intermediate Duct Aerodynamics for Competitive and Environmentally Friendly Jet Engines).

“All the aero engine manufacturers of Europe, three research institutes and five universities have joined their expertise and resources in to reach beyond the current state-of-the-art in aero engine intermediate duct design.” *

Objectives of the AIDA Project*:

• 2% reduction in fuel burn through 1-2% reduction in engine weight & length and 0.5% and 1.5 % increase in compressor and turbine efficiency, respectively
• Lower engine noise levels through the use of ultra-high-by-pass-ratio jet engine configurations.
• 2.5 % better operating margin for long haul aircraft through reduced fuel burn together with 5% of aero engine development costs and 70% reduction of time-to-market.

Clean Sky is one of the largest European research projects ever, with a budget estimated at €1.6 billion, equally shared between the European Commission and industry, over the period 2008 – 2013.

Public concern about air pollution, noise and climate change is growing. Today air transport produces 2% of man-made CO2 emissions and is expected to increase to 3% by 2050.

Propulsion is the major contributor to the environmental challenges set by the SRA (EU Aeronautical Strategic Research Agenda): largest noise source, the only source of NOx and a major contributor to fuel burn. The engines of 2020 should be radically different from those in service today.

*CORDIS, the (European) Community Research and Development Information Service for Science, Research and Development

9 Sep

25 Aug

2:nd round of Neuron tests completed in STARCS T1500

Saab Aerosystems has recently performed tests with a model of Neuron, the European Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) demonstrator, in a wind tunnel at STARCS in Bromma. The tests were supervised by personnel from Saab Aerosystems and Dassault Aviation (France).

The aim of the tests was to study the flight envelope, i.e. to measure aerodynamic forces. The UCAV must be able to operate as a complement to today's piloted aircraft. “This has been a very important commission for us since several European aeronautical manufactures are dependent of our results.” says Mikael Tjernlund CEO at STARCS.

The tests were performed within the Neuron-programme that is a cooperation between six industrial partners; Dassault Aviation, Saab, Alenia Aeronautica, EADS CASA, Ruag Aerospace and Hellenic Aerospace Industry. A main aim of the Neuron programme is to sustain and develop European Combat Aircraft Industry and technologies for next-generation combat aircraft and UAVs.

4 June

25.5 MEuro to Swedish participation in European space programmes

The Swedish government announced today ( press release in Swedish) that a decision has been made to spend a total of 25.5 million Euro until year 2011 on the Swedish participation in the European launch vehicle programmes ARTA, Ariane-5 Post-ECA and FLPP (Future Launcher Preparatory Programme).

STARCS has contributed to some of these programmes and their predecessors during previous years with expertise and advanced testing of rocket nozzles, complete  aerodynamic testing and  calculation of flight characteristics using both wind tunnel testing and  advanced measurement methods and CFD.

Read more about STARCS services and track record within Space

14 May

SERA visit to STARCS

STARCS is visited by the members of a SERA course (Session Européenne des Responsables d'Armement). The course is aimed at decision makers in the European defence industry involved in armament purchasing. The objective is to visit different institutions around Europe related to this business and to discuss the possibilities for extended cooperation within EU. 

STARCS' Technical Manager Per Davidsson presents the T1500 transonic wind tunnel to the SERA course participants.

26 Apr

STARCS T1500 twenty years
STARCS celebrates the 20:th anniversary of the company's transonic wind tunnel T1500. 1989 the wind tunnel was officially declared opened by the Minister of Defence at the time, Roine Carlsson.

16 Apr

STARCS on the web
STARCS launches its new internet site. The purpose of the pages is to present our facilities, services and capabilities in general.

25 Mar

STARCS LT1 operational
STARCS large low speed wind tunnel LT1 is re-opened, now equipped with new control system.

27 Feb

STARCS at CEAS 2009

STARCS’ paper entitled “Design and Testing of a Unique Compressor Test Facility” was accepted for presentation at CEAS 2009, the second CEAS European Air & Space Conference to be held in Manchester, UK, 26-29 October 2009. CEAS stands for Council of European Aerospace Societies and is a council made up of the ten leading national aerospace societies in Europe. The Swedish member in CEAS is FlygTekniska Föreningen, FTF (The Swedish Society of Aeronautics and Astronautics).
External links:

CEAS 2009 European Air & Space Conference www.ceas2009.org

CEAS www.ceas.org

FTF www.flygtekniskaforeningen.org  

11 Feb

STARCS invited to ATD-TC
STARCS’ Jörgen Olsson is invited to become a member of the Aerothermodynamics Technical Committee (ATD-TC) of the CEAS Space Branch. (About CEAS see February 27)

2 Feb

STARCS recruits 
STARCS makes a strategic recruitment of Fredrik Pehrsson from Volvo Car Corporation for marketing within the new business area Energy. Fredrik has a history in aerodynamic development work in both the automotive and marine business. His most recent assignment was at the Volvo Cars Design Centre where he served as a specialist in aerodynamics and worked particularly with co-ordination of CO2-related aero-design projects closely linked to the company's overall sustainability strategy. 

2008

18 Dec

Successful test for Volvo Aero in STARCS KPR

Volvo Aero perform very successful test in STARCS compressor research rig: “The testing performed in partnership with FOI at STARCS in Stockholm was a big success, showing that future low pressure compressors can be made much lighter and shorter with the same or better performance,” says Torbjörn Salomonson, project manager at Volvo Aero. Read the Volvo Aero press release here .

1 Jul

The birth of STARCS

STARCS is officially in operation. Read more  about STARCS and our history .