The University of Notre Dame opened the world’s first Mach 10 wind tunnel earlier this month, offering a potential alternative to the Pentagon’s stretched hypersonic testing facilities.
The Indiana-based university took three years to build the 3,000-square-foot (279 square meters) facility through a partnership with the US Navy.
It houses a quiet wind tunnel capable of simulating flights at speeds of up to Mach 10 — or ten times the speed of sound. Hypersonic weapons and platforms fly at a speed of Mach 5 or above.
“Our new Large Mach 10 Quiet Wind Tunnel embodies Notre Dame’s commitment to boundary-breaking research in aerospace engineering and fluid dynamics,” vice president for research and professor in the Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Jeffrey F. Rhoads, said.
“We are proud to serve the nation by advancing our hypersonic capabilities and enabling tomorrow’s hypersonic workforce through this one-of-a-kind facility.”
Quiet Wind Tunnel
Wind tunnels are used for ground testing and validating system performance.
In addition to offering an environment to explore hypersonic flight dynamics, turbulence, flight control, and propulsion, the new facility will help train and develop the work force.
Its low-noise operation will help the facility to reduce outside disturbances, enabling a more flight representative atmosphere.
Hypersonic Testing Shortage
The facility intends to provide cost-effective testing for both fundamental hypersonic research and applied military and civilian testing, addressing bottlenecks at Department of Defense testing facilities and enabling aerospace firms to expedite development from concept to prototype stage.
The facility is part of the University Consortium for Applied Hypersonics to address the shortage of hypersonic testing facilities such as wind tunnels and test vehicles faced by the Pentagon.
In addition, the Department of Defense has initiated the Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonics Test Bed project to develop affordable ground and flight test beds.
“This facility will allow researchers to conduct experiments that could lead to the development of faster and more effective systems, thus improving our military’s conventional capabilities, enhancing deterrence, ensuring that we can respond swiftly to emerging threats, and promising our safety and security in this very uncertain world,” vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Christopher W. Grady said.
“The implications of hypersonic research extend far beyond defense, fostering economic growth and technological collaboration. As we push the boundaries of what is possible, we will also be leading advancements in commercial aerospace, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability,” Grady added.
