The USA’s Missile Defense Agency has awarded Stratolaunch $24.7 million for flight testing to help develop anti-hypersonic missile defense systems.
The project funded by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) will modify Stratolaunch’s Spirit of Mojave 747 launch platform so that the Talon-A hypersonic test vehicle can be used beyond the US western coast, where testing has so far taken place, to a variety of global locations.
Talon-A is a rocket-powered, autonomous testbed capable of flying different hypersonic flight profiles while carrying customized payload experiments. Talon-A completed its first hypersonic test flight last year.
The Talon-A is reusable and has been developed to help reduce the cost and time needed to develop hypersonic aircraft and missiles. The Mach 5+ capable aircraft’s first user will be the US Air Force.
Testing for the MDA projct is planned to occur during October, November or December this year. The test campaign aims to demonstrate the critical capabilities needed to test missile defense systems that can be used against hypersonic weapons.
The Spirit of Mojave 747 modification work will primarily occur at Stratolaunch’s headquarters in Mojave, California.
Talon-A flight tests have so far used Stratolaunch’s Roc carrier aircraft, the world’s largest aircraft by wingspan. The company purchased the Spirit of Mojave, a modified 747 from the now defunct Virgin Orbit, which had been using as part of its airborne orbital launch system.
Zachary Krevor, CEO and president of Stratolaunch said, “We are thrilled to provide the Missile Defense Agency with near-term, unparalleled hypersonic test capabilities using our reusable Talon-A and Spirit of Mojave platforms.
“By enabling Talon-A launches from any airport capable of accommodating a 747, Stratolaunch is delivering on its commitment to provide its customers operational flexibility and global scalability. With this award, we reinforce our position as a key enabler of national security through hypersonic test capabilities.”
Michael Kryzak, the MDA’s director of systems, targets and countermeasures said, “Hypersonic threats are difficult to detect and counter due to their speed, maneuverability, low-altitude flight paths, and unpredictable trajectories. We are pleased to partner with Stratolaunch to test our defensive architecture against these potential threats.”
