Test contracts (Rocket Lab/Kratos/Stratolaunch/Northrop); Air Force reusable Mach 5 bomber-drone; Hermeus breaks sound barrier; DIU ups contract; General Hypersonics ram accelerator; PrSM Inc4 ramjet test; new Cape Canaveral launch complex; AEDC rapid response; L3Harris Ark facilities; MDA MILC airborne test shift; Auriga Space Prometheus electromagnetic accelerator for material testing; Rocket Lab HASTE Anduril contract; Hypersonix DART AE success
Key Questions
What reusability milestone did Stratolaunch's Talon-A achieve?
Talon-A reached Mach 5 on two flights with successful recovery, confirming its reusable hypersonic test platform capability.
What recent speed records were set by Hermeus and General Hypersonics?
Hermeus' Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 broke the sound barrier at Mach 1.21, and General Hypersonics demonstrated a reusable ram accelerator reaching Mach 4+ twice in 90 minutes.
What new testing capability is Auriga Space developing with its Prometheus accelerator?
Auriga Space's Prometheus electromagnetic accelerator will test hypersonic materials at Mach 5+ under simulated weather conditions, supported by USAF and MDA contracts.
Stratolaunch Talon-A achieved Mach 5 on two flights with recovery, confirming reusability. Hermeus Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 broke sound barrier at Mach 1.21. DIU ups Hermeus contract $159M for payload release at Mach 3. General Hypersonics demonstrated reusable ram accelerator hitting Mach 4+ twice in 90 minutes. PrSM Increment 4 ramjet test to 1000km. Rocket Lab HASTE Curveball scrubbed; backup window opens. Air Force proposes new launch complex at Cape Canaveral (SLC-51). AEDC rapid response. L3Harris Ark facilities support hypersonic test/production. MDA MILC airborne test shift. Auriga Space's Prometheus electromagnetic accelerator for hypersonic material weather testing at Mach 5+, partnered with Axiom Materials, with USAF/MDA contracts—could accelerate TPS development. Rocket Lab wins Anduril-funded HASTE contract for three launches. Hypersonix wins Endeavour Award; DART AE achieved Mach 5+ on hydrogen, validating SPARTAN engine and reusable approach; VISR next-gen vehicle in development.