An Integrated Approach to Real Time Flight Test as Seen from Down Under

Abstract

The Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU) is the flight test authority for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). ARDU was born out of a requirement to handle the testing of developmental aircraft and weapons during Word War II. Its nucleus was established in 1941 and one of its first tasks was to evaluate the flying qualities and performance of captured Japanese aircraft. Today, ARDU provides "one-stop shopping" for flight testing all aircraft, weapons and systems in the RAAF and Australian Army Inventory. As directed by the RAAF, ARDU also performed flight testing on Royal Australian Navy aircraft, as well as novel and unique aircraft such as lighter-than-air and museum restored aircraft that are of historical importance.