On Saturday, November 9, 2024, the University of Notre Dame marked the successful opening of a Large Mach 10 Quiet Wind Tunnel, the first and only facility of its kind in the world. The facility supplies a unique environment for exploring hypersonic flight dynamics, turbulence, flight control, and propulsion. Designed for high-quality flow and cost-effective testing, the facility represents a major milestone in hypersonic research. In addition to advancing aerospace technology, it will play a crucial role in training and workforce development, bringing substantial benefits to both Indiana and the broader United States.

“Our new Large Mach 10 Quiet Wind Tunnel embodies Notre Dame’s commitment to boundary-breaking research in aerospace engineering and fluid dynamics,” said Jeffrey F. Rhoads, vice president for research and professor in the Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering. “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.”

The new facility was dedicated at a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted over the Veteran’s Day weekend, which featured remarks from Ambassador Joe Donnelly, Admiral Christopher Grady, Congressman Pat Fallon, Chairman Mike Rogers, and Dean Patricia Culligan.

Donnelly, who represented the State of Indiana in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate and also served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, said, “This is a testament to ‘God. Country. Notre Dame.’ The technology developed here will help us stand up and protect our nation and keep our children and grandchildren safe…It will ensure that our nation is stronger and that we have an even better future.”

Admiral Grady, the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the nation’s second-highest-ranking military officer, said, “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.”

Grady added, “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. By developing technologies that harness hypersonic systems and speeds, we can envision a future where air travel is faster, safer, and more efficient, thus connecting the world like never before...In addition, the cross-disciplinary nature of hypersonic research will foster innovation and train the next generation of our workforce of engineers, scientists, and skilled artisans to think beyond conventional boundaries. ”

The new wind tunnel adds a new chapter to Notre Dame’s history of excellence in aerospace-related innovation. That history dates back to 1882, when Notre Dame student Albert Francis Zahm, who would later become a faculty member at the University, built one of the world’s first wind tunnels on campus. Zahm was among the first to conclude that slender, curved surfaces shaped like a bird’s wing would make the best airplane wings and propellers.

The new Large Mach 10 Quiet Wind Tunnel joins an outstanding group of facilities on campus that carry on Notre Dame’s tradition of aerospace innovation. These include the Hessert Laboratory for Aerospace Research and Hessert at White Field, the Institute for Flow Physics and Control (FlowPAC), and NDTL Propulsion & Power.

The tunnel was designed by Thomas Corke, Notre Dame’s Clark Equipment Professor of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, along with doctoral students Joseph Heston and Jacob Caldwell. Five additional doctoral students in Corke's research group—Nick Hawley, Alec Jobbins, Will Jordan, Tim Moren, and Alyssa Spencer—contributed to the tunnel design and assembly. Research associate professor Eric Matlis and David Cavalieri, mechanical and aerospace engineer in the Engineering and Design Core Facility, also contributed to the tunnel design. The team overcame pandemic-related supply challenges to bring the project to life, working alongside local manufacturers across the Midwest.

The new facility will serve several immediate purposes. It will help address backlogs at Department of Defense testing facilities, enhancing the ability of aerospace companies to move swiftly from concept to prototype. The facility will provide a key resource to support a planned graduate program in hypersonic systems, and it will also create outstanding career opportunities for students interested in military service, aerospace engineering, and research careers at U.S. national laboratories.

"Innovation in hypersonics is a critical priority for ensuring the safety and prosperity of our nation in the 21st century," said Corke. "The foundation of that innovation lies in a workforce with a strong base of expertise in aerospace engineering, materials science, manufacturing, and data analysis—skills essential to tackling the unique challenges posed by hypersonic flight." Corke added, "Building a pipeline for talent into future careers in hypersonic systems is crucial, which means engaging students at all ages and academic levels."

The tunnel was made possible by funding from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)). For more information on hypersonic research at the University of Notre Dame, please visit the Hypersonic Systems Initiative website.

Contact:

Brett Beasley / Research Content Strategy Program Director

Notre Dame Research / University of Notre Dame

bbeasle1@nd.edu / +1 574-631-8183

research.nd.edu / @UNDResearch

About Notre Dame Research:

The University of Notre Dame is a private research and teaching university inspired by its Catholic mission. Located in South Bend, Indiana, its researchers are advancing human understanding through research, scholarship, education, and creative endeavor in order to be a repository for knowledge and a powerful means for doing good in the world. For more information, please visit the website or @UNDResearch.