Scientists Celebrate 50 Years Of G-Force Research At Qinetiq's Farnborough Facility

An official celebration to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Farnborough man-carrying centrifuge, formerly part of the world famous Royal Air Force (RAF) Institute of Aviation Medicine (IAM) took place at QinetiQ's centrifuge site on Tuesday, June 21st.

Centrifuge scientists, doctors, engineers, technicians and volunteer subjects, both past and present, gathered for a celebration lunch and champagne toast to commemorate fifty successful years of operation. Guests included two former Commandants of the RAF IAM, Air Vice Marshall Peter Howard and Air Vice Marshall (now Professor) John Ernsting, who was joined by several distinguished members of the aviation medicine scientific community.

The man-carrying centrifuge recreates the G-forces experienced by fighter jet pilots during flight. During the past fifty years, the facility has played a crucial role in developing a greater understanding of the effects of high G-forces on the human body, and countermeasures to protect against them. All of the anti-G systems currently used by RAF fast-jet aircrew have been developed and tested at the Farnborough Centrifuge.

The event was hosted by Neville Salkeld, managing director of QinetiQ's Centre for Human Sciences, the current owners and operators of the centrifuge facility. "This was an important milestone in the history of aviation research at Farnborough. These days the centrifuge is still very much in use by both UK and overseas customers," he said.

FMI: www.qinetiq.com