To augment the training infrastructure of special forces and combat free-fallers, the Army’s Special Forces Training School (SFTS) at Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh, got the Army’s first Vertical Wind Tunnel (VWT). It was virtually inaugurated by Army Chief General Manoj Pande on Wednesday.
“The state-of-the-art wind tunnel is set to refine the Combat Free Fall (CFF) skills of armed forces personnel,” the Army said in a statement. “Functioning as a freefall simulator, the VWT creates a column of air at specific velocities, orchestrating different CFF conditions. The system offers a controlled environment, enabling trainees to enhance their skills by simulating real-life freefall conditions.”
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
Stating that the VWT’s integration into the CFF training curriculum at SFTS brings forth numerous pay-offs, the Army said that the system simulates varied freefall scenarios which is crucial in assessing individual reactions to numerous situations in an airborne operating environment.
“It reduces potential instability in the air and during parachute deployment thereby assisting trainees to get used to freefall conditions. The VWT is not only beneficial for beginners but also an exceptional resource for delivering advanced training to seasoned free-fallers and CFF instructors,” the statement said.
In the past, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) had pulled up the Army for extreme delays in installation of the VMT.
