The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), and CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) have joined forces to build a state-of-the-art Trisonic Wind Tunnel facility. The project, which has been approved in principle, intends to transform aerodynamic testing in India.
The partnership seeks to position India as a pioneer in aerodynamic research and testing. By keeping sensitive projects domestic, the facility will improve national security and lessen India’s dependency on foreign wind tunnel facilities, saving money and time.
It is anticipated that the Continuous Trisonic Wind Tunnel (CTWT) will rank among the most cutting-edge structures of its kind in the world. It will have a 2.5-meter-wide by 2.5-meter-high test section that can operate continuously with Mach numbers ranging from 0.1 to 1.8.
Beside the continuous tunnel, a blowdown tunnel will be built. It will have a test section that is 1.75 meters wide by 1.75 meters high and is intended to function at higher speeds with Mach numbers between 1.6 and 4. This tunnel will provide insights into high-speed aerodynamics by simulating transient flight conditions.
The project is expected to take six years to complete, with 2031 as the completion date. By July 2025, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) should be completed.
For the past 50 years, CSIR-NAL’s National Trisonic Aerodynamic Facilities (NTAF) division has been a hub for high-speed aerodynamics research and development. The 1.2 m x 1.2 m trisonic wind tunnel at CSIR-NAL has been used to test all Indian aerospace vehicles. The 1.2-meter trisonic wind tunnel has been in operation for 50 years.
Major test capabilities of NTAF include air-intake tests, hinge moment measurements, force and moment measurements, and measurements of both steady and unsteady pressure.
CSIR-NAL has provided support for ISRO’s programs in structural analysis, flight dynamics, and wind tunnel testing of flight vehicle models. All of ISRO’s satellites and launch vehicle stages have undergone acoustic testing by the Acoustic Test Facility (ATF), which was put into service at CSIR-NAL for ISRO in 1986.
