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Pushing Boundaries at 40,000 Feet
On the edge of Purdue University’s campus, a new facility is shaping the future of aerospace. Built through a partnership between Rolls-Royce and the Purdue Research Foundation, the High-Altitude Testing Facility (ATF) and Test Utility Building (TUB) represents a bold step forward in jet engine development. These twin 30,000-square-foot buildings form a critical testing ground where future U.S. military aircraft engines are pushed to their limits.
Engineering Precision and Complex Coordination
The ATF and TUB are feats of technical engineering and meticulous planning. The ATF test cells are capable of simulating altitudes of 40,000 feet, temperatures ranging from minus 40 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit and hurricane-force wind speeds to ensure that the engines can, and will, withstand all adverse conditions. Constructing the facility required careful coordination to install massive equipment such as high-voltage motors, complex piping for cooling and fuel systems, and sound-insulated control rooms. Every structural detail from fire-rated masonry to heavy-duty foundations was designed to handle intense forces and ensure operational safety.
The high-altitude testing cell is used for “development testing,” in which Rolls-Royce tests the engine to see if it operates as designed in ambient conditions.
Empowering Students Through Real-World Engagement
Purdue students played an important role throughout the project, gaining hands-on experience by assisting with construction monitoring and data collection. As the facility begins operation in January 2026, ongoing opportunities for research, internships and collaboration with Rolls-Royce will allow students to deepen their understanding of aerospace technology and contribute directly to cutting-edge developments.
The Test Utility Building generates air that is funneled into the testing cell using an 8,000-shaft horsepower motor to simulate high-altitude conditions.
With engines destined for aircrafts such as the V-22 Osprey and C-130 Hercules, the ATF and TUB are purpose-built to ensure performance at the highest levels. In West Lafayette, the future of flight is being tested one engine at a time.
