The autonomous Talon-A test vehicle has completed more than ten consecutive successful hypersonic missions, Stratolaunch said.
The air-launched vehicle travels above Mach 5. According to the manufacturer, missions are flown without a human in the control loop, from release by the carrier aircraft through runway return and landing.
The same Talon-A vehicle completed several missions. It can be serviced and reused after landing, although the company did not disclose turnaround times or the cost of an individual mission.
The flights collected data on aerodynamics, propulsion, thermal protection and control systems. The platform serves government and commercial customers, including the TRMC MACH-TB programme.
Stratolaunch’s fleet includes two carrier aircraft and two Talon-A vehicles. The converted Boeing 747-400 Spirit of Mojave has completed integration and now operates as a launch platform alongside the twin-fuselage Roc aircraft.
“Reaching more than ten successful hypersonic flights with Talon-A is a testament to our team’s dedication and the robustness of our technology. We are transforming hypersonic testing from a rare event into a routine service, empowering our customers to innovate at unprecedented speed,” — Zachary Krevor, president and CEO of Stratolaunch.
Stratolaunch plans to increase launch frequency, expand operating areas and develop further hypersonic vehicles. Claims about the platform’s uniqueness and reliability are the company’s own statements.
