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X3/R is a new large-scale free-piston-driven dual-mode shock expansion tube, developed and operated collaboratively by the University of Queensland (UQ) and Australia's Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG). The facility can be converted between a long-duration reflected shock tunnel (RST), a super-orbital expansion tube (X-mode), and a non-reflected shock tube (NRST). In RST mode, the facility is currently capable of producing 600 mm diameter Mach 7 test flows at 25–50 kPa dynamic pressure for more than 10 ms. In expansion tube mode, the facility can reach enthalpies up to 80 MJ/kg for test times on the order of 500–1000 μ s. This paper presents the new facility, summarizes its current operational capabilities, and discusses key the technical challenges overcome during its development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An accelerometer-based force balance has been used to measure the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) drag force which arises when a magnetic field is present in a high-enthalpy ionised flow. This has been conducted using two expansion tunnels, with periods of steady test flow as low as 40 μ s . The use of this technique for MHD drag measurements is demonstrated and limitations are discussed. The results show that there is a measurable component of MHD drag in a flow-field where electrodynamic boundary conditions are matched to true flight. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the measured forces can be attributed exclusively to the MHD effect, with good repeatability. The results indicated that at least 100 μ s of steady flow is required before the MHD force stabilises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]