Stratolaunch has completed another hypersonic flight test for the US Missile Defense Agency using its Talon-A3 test vehicle and Spirit of Mojave aircraft.
The mission took place at Mojave Air and Space Port in California. The test supports the US’s growing efforts to develop faster, more reliable hypersonic technologies. The test was part of the Flight Test Experiment Other-04 mission(FEX-04).
The company used its modified Boeing 747-400, the Spirit of Mojave, during the mission. The aircraft carried the Talon-A3 hypersonic vehicle to a planned release altitude before launch. This air-launch method allows the test vehicle to begin flight at high altitude instead of launching directly from the ground.
Stratolaunch said the mission supports ongoing hypersonic research and testing for the US. Hypersonic systems travel at speeds above Mach 5, which is more than five times the speed of sound. These vehicles are designed for both military applications and advanced aerospace research.
Talon-A3 Expands Reusable Hypersonic Testing
The Talon-A3 is part of Stratolaunch’s Talon-A family of reusable hypersonic aircraft.
These vehicles are built to collect flight data during high-speed operations in extreme conditions. Engineers use this information to study heat management, flight stability, communication systems, and vehicle performance.
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Reusable test vehicles reduce the cost of repeated hypersonic experiments. Traditional rocket-based tests often use expendable systems that cannot be recovered after launch. Stratolaunch’s approach allows the company to recover, refurbish, and fly the vehicles again for future missions.
Company President and CEO Zachary Krevor said hypersonic testing requires precision, speed, and reliable access to flight opportunities.
He added that every mission improves the nation’s ability to test advanced technologies. The company also said it remains focused on supporting government partners involved in high-speed flight programs.
From Space Launch Plans to Defense Testing
Stratolaunch was originally a space launch company founded by Paul Allen. The company first aimed to launch satellites into orbit using large carrier aircraft. After Allen’s death and the company’s acquisition by Cerberus Capital Management, Stratolaunch shifted its focus toward hypersonic testing in 2020.
In 2023, the company acquired the Boeing 747 aircraft, now known as Spirit of Mojave, from Virgin Orbit. The aircraft was previously called Cosmic Girl and had been used for satellite launch missions. Stratolaunch later modified the aircraft for hypersonic research and air-launch operations.
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The company also operates the Roc aircraft, which has the largest wingspan of any aircraft currently flying. Roc and Spirit of Mojave give Stratolaunch flexible launch options from standard runways worldwide. This setup helps speed up testing schedules compared to traditional vertical rocket launches.
The latest FEX-04 mission highlights growing US investment in hypersonic technology development. Faster testing cycles allow defense agencies and aerospace companies to improve systems more quickly.
Stratolaunch’s reusable flight platforms are expected to play a larger role as demand for hypersonic research continues to increase.
