Now Reading: Stratolaunch reaches milestone with fully reusable hypersonic test platform
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Stratolaunch reaches milestone with fully reusable hypersonic test platform
Stratolaunch, the Californian company specializing in high-speed flight, has achieved a historic breakthrough in the race for hypersonic supremacy. The Pentagon confirmed that the company successfully completed two test flights with its Talon-A vehicle, reaching speeds in excess of Mach 5 and, most importantly, recovering the pad on both occasions.
This achievement makes the Talon-A the first fully autonomous and reusable hypersonic vehicle, a milestone not reached since the days of the legendary X-15, retired in the 1960s.
"It's an incredible achievement to enter the hypersonic regime and survive to tell the tale. These results lay the groundwork for a revolution in hypersonic testing."said Zachary Krevor, CEO of Stratolaunch.
Cost reduction and acceleration of the Pentagon's hypersonic tests
Recovery of Talon-A, known as TA-2, will reduce hypersonic test costs "by orders of magnitude"according to Krevor. This reusability is key to democratizing access to hypersonic flight test, especially at a time when U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) demand far outstrips the current test infrastructure.
The MACH-TB (Multi-Service Advanced Hypersonic Capability Test Bed) program seeks precisely to address this shortfall by increasing the frequency of testing to a rate of one per week. The Talon-A platform, powered by Ursa Major's Hadley engine, has become a pillar of this strategy.
Testing with the Talon-A: faster, more maneuvers and longer duration
Stratolaunch's main goal now is to extend the Talon-A's flight limits. In future flights, the company plans to reach higher speeds, perform more complex maneuvers and maintain hypersonic speeds for longer periods.
Krevor did not provide an exact date for the next flight, although he confirmed that it will take place before June. In the meantime, Stratolaunch teams are focused on analyzing data from the first two flights to optimize the systems and validate the results against theoretical expectations.
"We are allowing data analysis to be the priority before adjusting flight cadence."Krevor explained, noting that the company plans to increase the frequency of testing in the second half of 2025.
Preparations for new tests and launch pad expansion
In addition to the Talon-A, Stratolaunch is collaborating on the MACH-TB program also using Kratos' Erinyes test vehicle and Rocket Lab's HASTE rocket, with the objective of testing components and subsystems under real flight conditions.
The company is also working on the modification of its second launch platform, a Boeing 747 named Spirit of Mojavewhich will be added to the main carrier aircraft Rocfamous for its 385 feet wingspan.
According to Krevor, modifications to the 747 are progressing on schedule and the aircraft is expected to begin flying in the summer or fall of this year. This expansion of capabilities will allow Stratolaunch to attract more customers and multiply testing opportunities for defense and research programs.
A strategic race in full acceleration
As China and Russia move forward in the development and implementation of their own hypersonic systems, the United States is redoubling its efforts to regain the lead in this critical technology.
The successful reuse and recovery of the Talon-A is not only a technological breakthrough, but also a strategic advantage, allowing the Pentagon and its allies to test more frequently, at lower cost and on tighter schedules.
With a full flight manifest through 2025 and bookings already scheduled for 2026, Stratolaunch is positioned as a world leader in hypersonic testing, paving the way for the next generation of high-speed weaponry and vehicles.
