Air Force Plans to Reopen Hypersonic Test Facility in Ohio

The facility will use non-combustion heating to simulate extreme conditions for hypersonic flight testing.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 8:49am

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The U.S. Air Force is considering reactivating a high-velocity wind tunnel in Ohio to test and evaluate hypersonic aircraft and munitions designs. The Hypersonic Test Facility (HTF) at the NASA Armstrong Test Facility in Sandusky, Ohio has been mothballed since 2007, but officials believe it can be brought back online to provide critical testing capabilities that are currently lacking.

Why it matters

Hypersonic flight is a key area of focus for the U.S. military, as it offers the potential for extremely fast and maneuverable weapons and aircraft. However, the existing test facilities are considered inadequate, as they do not accurately simulate the heat and atmospheric conditions of true hypersonic flight. Reactivating the Ohio facility, which uses a unique non-combustion heating process, could help address this gap and advance hypersonic technology development.

The details

The HTF in Ohio is designed to simulate hypersonic flight conditions from Mach 5 to Mach 7 using a non-combustion heating process. This allows for testing without the interference of combustion byproducts. Reactivating the facility is expected to take 18-24 months and will involve reconditioning or replacing obsolete components. The Air Force is seeking capable companies to take on this project.

  • The HTF has been mothballed since 2007.
  • The Air Force issued a sources-sought notice in March 2026 for the Hypersonic Test Facility Reactivation project.

The players

Air Force Test Center (AFTC)

The organization at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida that is considering the reactivation of the Hypersonic Test Facility.

NASA Armstrong Test Facility

The facility in Sandusky, Ohio that houses the Hypersonic Test Facility.

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What’s next

Companies interested in the project must submit 50-page capability statements by March 19, 2026 to the Air Force's David Thomas and Amanda Jardine.

The takeaway

Reactivating the Hypersonic Test Facility in Ohio is critical for the Air Force to advance its hypersonic technology development, as the facility's unique non-combustion heating process can better simulate the extreme conditions of true hypersonic flight compared to existing test facilities.