China's First Dedicated Composite Wind Tunnel for Low-Altitude Aircraft Opens in Guangzhou

On July 16, 2025, the Guangdong Aerospace Research Academy in Guangzhou, located in South China's Guangdong Province, officially opened China's inaugural composite wind tunnel dedicated to aerodynamic studies of low-altitude aircraft. This facility bridges the essential gap between laboratory evaluations and real-world testing for low-altitude aviation, marking a groundbreaking advancement in the quest to bolster scientific research foundations for the burgeoning low-altitude economy within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Wind tunnels are vital experimental setups that create controlled airflow, mimicking flight conditions and allowing researchers to conduct detailed investigations into the aerodynamic properties of aircraft. By performing wind tunnel tests, scientists can fine-tune the control performance of these aircraft before they take to the skies, as noted by China Central Television. These experiments are typically more time-efficient and cost-effective than outdoor tests.

The wind tunnel, as explained by Sun Liangbao, head of wind tunnel technology at GARA, simulates flight conditions while keeping the aircraft stationary by generating airflow that creates relative motion. This method enables accurate measurement of various technical parameters. The newly established tunnel will be instrumental in assessing the wind resistance and safety features of aircraft.

Significantly, this wind tunnel combines the functionalities of traditional aviation testing with innovative drone testing, making it the first of its kind in China with a 4.5-meter class dedicated to low-altitude aircraft. It promises to provide aircraft developers with accessible testing services, effectively shortening the experiment coordination and execution timeline to just three to four months, thereby reducing research and development expenses and accelerating the commercialization of new technologies.

In addition, GARA has plans to create a data-sharing platform called "Bay Area No. 1" for wind tunnel test results related to aircraft. The academy aims to collaborate with other low-altitude aircraft research institutions, universities, and businesses to address critical technological challenges and establish a standardized system for wind tunnel testing specific to low-altitude aviation.