HYPERSONICS ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY CENTER (HAMTC)

From 3d PRINTING to Flight-Ready Systems

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END-TO-END PRODUCTION UNDER ONE ROOF

HAMTC is a research center at Purdue University where experts work with industry to create new materials and manufacturing methods. It’s the only place in the country that brings together all the steps — designing, building, joining and testing — needed to make hypersonic parts in one location. This speeds up development, lowers costs and encourages innovation through university partnerships.

The goal is to move these technologies into action more quickly.

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TWO ADVANCED HYPERSONICS TEST FACILITIES

PARI's Hypersonics Applied Research Facility operates the HYPULSE reflected shock/expansion tunnel and is constructing a Mach 8 quiet wind tunnel.

Together, these facilities support research into some of the most challenging aspects of high-speed flight, from extreme aerodynamic heating and propulsion to the fundamental physics of hypersonic flow.

The HYPULSE reflected shock/expansion tunnel recreates flight conditions ranging from Mach 5 to Mach 40, enabling researchers to study the environments encountered by advanced aerospace and defense systems.

When completed, the Mach 8 quiet wind tunnel will provide a low-disturbance test environment that allows researchers to better understand the flow physics that govern hypersonic vehicle performance.

THE PARI DIFFERENCE

Count the ways this innovative lab makes an impact to hypersonics research.

Technology transfer

HAMTC makes it easier for new technologies to move from research into real-world use by working side-by-side with industry partners. These partners help define the problems and requirements, and HAMTC supports them through a fully integrated process, all in one place, from design to testing. This allows companies to quickly apply innovations developed at HAMTC to their own operations.

Risk mitigation

HAMTC builds prototypes at scale to help reduce the risks of trying out newtechnologies. This gives industry partners the confidence to explore innovative solutionswith trusted experts and without interrupting their existing production schedules. It’s asmart way to test and refine new ideas while keeping operations running smoothly.

Cutting-edge materials development

HAMTC helps solve key challenges for the warfighter by developing advancedmaterials, like alloys, ceramics and composites, that can handle the extreme heat andstress of hypersonic flight. These breakthroughs make it possible for vehicles to performreliably at incredibly high speeds and temperatures.

Manufacturing innovations

HAMTC works closely with Colibrium Additive (formerly GE Additive), sharing spaceand expertise to develop new and innovative ways to use 3D printing in manufacturing.This collaboration opens up unique approaches to producing advanced parts forhypersonic systems.

Securing the U.S. supply chain

HAMTC brings supply-chain partners together in one place, making it easier for them tocollaborate directly with HAMTC experts and each other. This close workingenvironment encourages teamwork, sparks new ideas and helps drive innovation faster.

Workforce development

Through hands-on experience and cutting-edge research, HAMTC equips students withthe skills and security clearances needed to become the next generation of hypersonicsexperts. These future-ready professionals are trained to tackle the toughest challengesin high-speed flight and defense innovation.

Reducing protyping time and cost

In bringing together all the steps of hypersonic development — designing, building,joining, and testing — into one location, HAMTC makes the process faster and moreefficient. Because everything is housed in the same facility, teams can quickly analyzedata from thermal, wind tunnel and combustion tests and use it to improve their designs.This allows them to rapidly create and test updated prototypes. By combining thesecapabilities with Purdue’s broader hypersonics research network, HAMTC helps reducethe cost and time needed to develop and evaluate new hypersonic technologies.

Our people

PHL Directors and leadership

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David Bretz
Managing Director, Hypersonics and Applied Research Facility
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Nathan Humbert
Technical Director, HAMTC
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Adelbert "Trey" Francis III, PhD
Technical Director, HYPULSE Wind Tunnel
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Brandon Chynoweth, PhD
Technical Director, Mach 8 Quiet Tunnel
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Joseph S. Jewell, PhD
On leave of absence for Federal service as of Dec 2025
Directors & Leads

Staff and Faculty

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Julio Hernandez, PhD
Characterization Engineer, Hypersonics Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center
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Greg Lubas
Processing Engineer, Hypersonics Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center
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Colt Parker
Senior Hypersonic Test Engineer, HYPULSE Wind Tunnel
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Amanda Braun, PhD
Lead Research Scholar, HYPULSE Wind Tunnel
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Alexey Shashurin, PhD
Associate Professor, School of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Students

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Nicholas Babusis
Graduate Research Assistant
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Ryan Carr
Graduate Research Assistant
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Will Deverter
Graduate Research Assistant
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Chase Larsen
Graduate Research Assistant
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Andrew Myers
Graduate Research Assistant
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Grant Dilley
Graduate Student, HYPULSE Wind Tunnel
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Jack Lilly
Undergraduate Research Assistant, HYPULSE Wind Tunnel
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Brysen King
Graduate Research Assistant, HYPULSE Wind Tunnel
Ready to Move at Mission Speed?

Whether you're facing a classified challenge or an unclassified opportunity, PARI has the people, facilities, and commitment to deliver.