The United States has launched a Mach 10 wind tunnel (12,348 km/h) to address challenges in supersonic flight testing and research.
Mach 10 Quiet Wind Tunnel at the University of Notre Dame, funded by the U.S. Navy, is capable of simulating high-speed supersonic flight, aiding scientists working in this field. The new facility can test supersonic systems without disturbances, as reported by researcher Thomas Corke, a professor of engineering and director of the university’s Supersonic Systems Initiative, to Interesting Engineering on November 14.
The Mach 6 supersonic wind tunnel was developed in collaboration between the University of Notre Dame and Purdue University in 2018. (Photo: Purdue University).
The U.S. Department of Defense utilizes wind tunnels for ground testing and evaluating new systems through supersonic flight simulations under atmospheric conditions. Such experiments enhance understanding of aerodynamics, thermal management, and structural integrity. However, due to rising demands, the U.S. government hopes that the new facility at Notre Dame will help address critical issues.
In addition to this tunnel, there are only two other quiet wind tunnels in the U.S.: the Mach 6 and Mach 8 tunnels, both located at Purdue University. The facility at Notre Dame not only adds capacity to the supersonic testing ecosystem but also allows testing at speeds nearing Mach 10, where fundamental aerodynamic changes occur.
Supersonic flight capabilities at speeds from Mach 8 enable military and rescue aircraft to reach numerous hotspots around the world quickly. To achieve such speeds, researchers need to improve the accuracy of temperature predictions and design effective thermal protection systems. These are two critical issues that the new facility at Notre Dame will address.
In 2018, the University of Notre Dame co-developed a Mach 6 wind tunnel alongside Purdue University. Weighing nearly 5 tons, this tunnel optimizes a balance between low noise and minimal cost, featuring an exit diameter of 60 cm and a testing length of nearly 1.8 meters.
