Ballistic High-Speed Flow Lab

About the Facility

The Ballistic High-Speed Facility (BHSF) at IIT Madras is a cutting-edge experimental research center focused on high-speed flows, projectile dynamics, impact physics, and aerodynamics. Established to serve defense, aerospace, and scientific research sectors, BHSF enables precise diagnostics and experimental validation for hypersonic and ballistic applications.

Vision & Mission

Vision: To be India’s leading experimental research hub for ballistic and high-speed flow systems, contributing to national defense and advanced scientific innovation.

Mission: To develop world-class test facilities, conduct impactful research, and train the next generation of engineers and scientists in the field of high-speed aerodynamics and impact phenomena.

Research Focus Areas

• Shock wave behavior and compressible flow analysis
• Structural impact testing and deformation modeling
• Flow visualization techniques using high-speed cameras

Infrastructure & Capabilities

The facility houses several advanced test setups and instrumentation systems:

• Aero-ballistic range: Capable of launching projectiles at supersonic speeds with piston-driven systems
• Open Jet Facility: Powered by 36 m³, 10-bar air reservoir supporting nozzle and ejector testing
• High-speed Imaging Systems: Featuring schlieren setups with 2000mm focal mirrors and cameras up to 1 Million FPS
• Precision Diagnostics: Integrated data acquisition and instrumentation for real-time analysis

People Behind BHSF

The facility is led by Dr. G. Rajesh, Professor at the Department of Aerospace Engineering, IIT Madras. The core team includes Postdoctoral Researchers, Doctoral Students, Senior Project Officers, and Graduate Students specializing in experimental gas dynamics, shock tube physics, and projectile aerodynamics.