The Boeing/AFOSR Mach-6 Quiet Tunnel at Purdue University

Tunnel has a 9.5-inch exit diameter, runs for about 10-sec., uses Ludwieg tube concept. Designed to achieve laminar nozzle-wall boundary layers for study of laminar-turbulent transition processes under low-noise conditions comparable to flight. See, for example, AIAA Paper 2002-0302, January 2002.

Built during 1995-2001 with major funding from the Boeing Company and The Air Force Office of Scientific Research. Additional funding from the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization, Sandia National Laboratory, and a gift in memory of Kenneth Hobbie.

Watch this video of Assistant Professor Joseph Jewell, touring the Boeing/AFOSR Mach-6 Quiet Tunnel

Schematic of Tube and a sketch of the nozzle cross-section

Ludwieg tube graph nozzle cross section sketch

Various pictures of the tube, test section, and support equipment

air dryer air filters heater and supply plumbing compressor and vacuum pump room contraction bleed slot vacuum system contraction bleed vacuum with heaters diaphragms and holder double wedge second throat section double wedge sting support downstream bleed slot vacuum system downstream from nozzle driver heating power supplies driver tube driver tube upstream end fabrication of double wedge nozzle and contraction oblique nozzle view pilot probe in nozzle01 pilot probe in nozzle02 probe traverse vertical automation side access port for wiring upstream into diffuser upstream nozzle vacuum tanks and bldg extension vacuum tanks and lines