Large Volume R&D Testing Chamber

Industry: Defense Technology - Autonomous System

Testing Application: R&D Thermal Stress Validation for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) 

A prominent company in the defense technology sector approached Associated Environmental Systems (AES) in need of a specialized, high-performance test system to validate the structural and electronic integrity of autonomous aerial platforms under extreme thermal stress. The challenge? The project required a massive internal workspace to accommodate full-scale UAV components while maintaining the precision and rapid thermal cycling typically reserved for smaller chambers. Additionally, the client needed a solution that could be easily adapted as their testing protocols for autonomous systems evolve. 

 AES Solution 

AES engineered the FD-596-4 Temperature Only Environmental Test Chamber , a high-performance floor model system built to meet the unique demands of the application.

• Expansive Workspace Volume: This chamber features a generous 96 cu. ft. internal workspace, providing the necessary scale for testing larger autonomous assemblies without the footprint of a full walk-in room.
• Precision Thermal Performance: The system maintains a wide temperature range of -40°C to 180°C with an exceptional stability of ±0.5°C, ensuring consistent environmental simulation during long-term R&D cycles.
• Advanced Remote Monitoring: Equipped with AESONE CONNECT®, the chamber allows engineers to monitor data and manage test sequences remotely via a customizable dashboard and HTTP JSON API.
• Scalable Power Options: While this unit utilizes a 4-hp refrigeration system, AES offers customizable configurations up to 17-hp to significantly increase rise and pull-down rates based on specific load requirements. See our chart. 

Crafting Your Perfect Test Set-Up 

This solution was custom-engineered to meet defense technology testing demands in validating unmanned systems under rigorous thermal profiles. By combining large interior volume, high-stability instrumentation, and flexible horsepower options , AES delivered a system that seamlessly accelerates development cycles and ensures mission-critical reliability under real-world conditions.

This project highlights AES’s commitment to designing advanced, customized test solutions that help engineers push boundaries. Our experience across the aerospace and defense sectors from specialized floor models like the FD-596-4 to massive walk-in satellite chambers enabling us to provide versatile solutions for the evolving needs of autonomous innovation.