Model of Advanced Aircraft (IMAGE) Purdue University Caption Purdue doctoral student Matthew P. Borg holds a model of an advanced aircraft called the X-51A, which will be powered by engines called scramjets and capable of flying at Mach 6, or six times the speed of sound. Purdue engineers, using the only wind tunnel capable of running quietly at "hypersonic" speeds, have conducted experiments to yield data critical for the vehicle's design. The researchers, led by Steven Schneider, are reporting the first major findings from the quiet wind tunnel after about 18 years of research to perfect the facility, which will be used to analyze the performance of hypersonic vehicles. Credit Purdue News Service photo/David Umberger Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.