CSIR-NAL with DRDO and ISRO to Construct Most Advanced CTW Tunnel for Aerodynamic Research & Testing

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL), the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have teamed up to build a state-of-the-art Continuous Trisonic Wind Tunnel (CTWT) or CTW Tunnel. This facility is expected to be one of the world's most advanced of its kind.

A Continuous Trisonic Wind Tunnel (CTWT) is a sophisticated facility designed to simulate the conditions that aircraft and aerospace vehicles experience at various speeds, including subsonic, transonic, and supersonic speeds (Mach 0.1 to 4).

Unlike traditional wind tunnels that operate intermittently, a CTWT can run continuously, allowing for long-duration tests that are crucial for studying steady-state aerodynamic behaviors.

The CTWT project, which has been approved for development, aims to be completed by 2031. The CTWT will feature two distinct wind tunnels: a Continuous Type Wind Tunnel and a Blowdown Type Wind Tunnel. These tunnels will allow for long-duration tests and high-speed aerodynamic simulations, significantly reducing India's reliance on foreign facilities.

The Continuous Type Wind Tunnel will be 2.5 meters wide by 2.5 meters high. The facility will be capable of simulating air speeds from Mach 0.1 to 1.8. The CTW Tunnel will be designed for continuous operation, allowing for long-duration tests crucial for analyzing steady-state aerodynamic behaviors.

The Blowdown Type Wind Tunnel will be 1.75 meters wide by 1.75 meters high. It will be designed for higher speeds and transient flight conditions, offering insights into high-speed aerodynamics. The Blowdown Type Wind Tunnel will be capable of simulating air speeds from Mach 1.6 to 4. 

Notably, the North American Trisonic Wind Tunnel (NATWT) located in El Segundo, California, built by North American Aviation in the 1950s, had a maximum testing speed of Mach 3.5.

The collaboration between CSIR-NAL, DRDO, and ISRO to build a new Continuous Trisonic Wind Tunnel (CTWT) facility is a significant step for India's aerospace capabilities.

This facility will help reduce reliance on foreign wind tunnels, saving both time and costs, while enhancing national security by keeping sensitive projects within the country.

This ambitious project is expected to be completed by 2031, with a Detailed Project Report (DPR) finalized by July 2025.

These advanced wind tunnels will help studying the behavior of aircraft, missiles, and space vehicles under various flight conditions, and at the same time reducing reliance on foreign wind tunnels and keeping sensitive projects within the country.