Wichita State University's National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) is now a fully functioning test facility for direct effects of lightning high current testing.

The lab's new "Shocker Generator" complies with the high current components A, B, C and D of the lightning environment contained within SAE ARP5412, as well as the high current test requirements of ARP5416 and RTCA DO-160 Section 23.

The lab is currently available for commercial and government testing and research, and has already hosted industry clients and FAA and NASA research.

Direct effects of lightning testing is required for many aircraft components and parts and in applications such as unmanned aerial systems and windpower.

The lab is at NIAR's Environmental and Electromagnetic Effects Lab, located at the former site of Boeing Aircraft Company in Wichita, Kan. The site is home to a wide range of test labs including the full suite of DO-160 environmental testing, radome development and transmissivity testing, burn testing, specialized environmental and full vehicle testing for high intensity radio frequency (HIRF), indirect effects of lightning, electromagnetic compatibility and personal electronic device tolerance.

NIAR's Environmental and Electromagnetic Effects Lab also offers standard and specialized training in the areas of DO-160 and HIRF and environmental test technician training.