News

In Retlif's continuing commitment to provide unmatched services, and its willingness to develop new and innovative test techniques for its customers, we are pleased to announce the addition of Hail testing capabilities. Hail is an extremely destructive force of nature, especially for aircraft, with "hail balls" being hit by aircraft traveling upwards to 600 MPH and faster.

Now this event can be reproduced in a safe, reliable and repeatable test environment. Retlif's Hail Gun can accommodate simulated hailstones or ice balls from 10mm (0.39in) to 50mm (2in) which meet ASTM F320 specifications, as well as sizes in between. The gun has the ability to accelerate the hailstones to velocities up to mach 1 (331.4m/sec, 1087.4 f/sec, 741 mph). Along with hailstones, the gun can be modified to launch other projectiles such as wood, rocks or any other object specified by the customer at lower velocities to simulate windborne debris often generated from high winds associated with hurricanes and tornados.