In collaboration with DSO National Laboratories, a Trisonic Wind Tunnel has been built in NUS. The wind tunnel has a test-section of 1.2m x 1.2m, and is called a “Trisonic” wind tunnel because it can operate at subsonic, transonic, and supersonic speed of up to 4 times the speed of sound (i.e. Mach 4). To get a sense of perspective of the operating speed, Boeing 747 and Airbus A380 are normally cruising at around Mach 0.85, and most fighter aircrafts at around Mach 2.0. This wind tunnel facility is the only one of its kind in South East Asia with a large enough test section for serious research measurements.

In addition to supporting the needs of MINDEF in the area of aeronautics and to promote R & D activities in aerodynamics, and aeronautics technology, the facility is used by staff members of the Department of , NUS to carry out research and teaching activities related to aerodynamics. Students taking Aeronautical Engineering Specialisation will get to visit the wind tunnel, and learn the principles of operation and the design of the wind tunnel and how performance tests are conducted on aircraft models.