A training school in Himachal Pradesh has opened a state-of-the-art wind tunnel, the first of its kind in the Indian Army. The tunnel provides a controlled setting where military trainees can improve their skills by simulating free fall conditions in real life. “Indian Army’s first Vertical Wind Tunnel (VWT)” was formally opened by Army Chief Gen. Manoj Pande, the defense ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.
Officials say that the wind tunnel at the Special Forces Training School (SFTS) in Bakloh will help staff improve their Combat Free Fall (CFF) skills.
As part of the Indian Army’s continued transformation, technology is being used in training in new ways. “Putting in a VWT is another step in the right direction,” the statement said.
Gen Manoj Pande #COAS inaugurated ‘#UDAAN’, the first Vertical Wind Tunnel, a state of the art training facility at the Special Forces Training School. This virtual inauguration marks the operationalisation of a training asset that will be a game changer for Combat Freefall… pic.twitter.com/6c043LlMM6
— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) October 25, 2023
As a free fall model, the VWT sets up different CFF conditions by creating a column of air moving at certain speeds. It was said that the system provides a safe setting where trainees can improve their skills by simulating freefall situations in real life.
Many good things happen when the VWT is added to the CFF training program at SFTS. The system mimics different free fall situations, which is important for testing how people would respond to different situations in an airborne workplace, the ministry said.
It makes things less likely to become unstable in the air and when the parachute is deployed, which helps the trainees get used to free fall. It said that the VWT is not only helpful for beginners but also a great way for experienced free-fallers and CFF teachers to get advanced training.
The ministry said that the installation of the first VWT is in line with the present push to update the Indian Army’s training facilities.
“This is the first project of its kind in the Indian Army. It will give the special forces simulated training in combat free fall.” It will make the Indian Army much more ready for operations in the future and make sure that the special forces are fully ready to face the difficulties of today and tomorrow on the battlefield. It offers better and faster training results, it said.
