Development and commissioning of the T6 Stalker Tunnel

The T6 Stalker Tunnel is a multi-mode, high-enthalpy, transient ground test facility. It is the first of its type in the UK. The facility combines the original free-piston driver from the T3 Shock Tunnel with modified barrels from the Oxford Gun Tunnel. Depending on test requirements, it can operate as a shock tube, reflected shock tunnel or expansion tube. Commissioning tests of the free-piston driver are discussed, including the development of four baseline driver conditions using piston masses of either 36 kg or 89 kg. Experimental data are presented for each operating mode, with comparison made to numerical simulations. In general, high-quality test flows are observed. The calculated enthalpy range of the experimental conditions achieved varies from $$2.7\hbox { MJ kg}^{-1}$$ 2.7 MJ kg - 1 to $$115.0\hbox { MJ kg}^{-1}$$ 115.0 MJ kg - 1 . Graphical abstract