Stratolaunch has completed the first powered flight of its Talon-A test vehicle, a step towards developing the first privately funded, reusable hypersonic test capability.
Talon-A (TA-1) is a rocket-powered, autonomous testbed with the capability to fly a variety of hypersonic flight profiles while carrying customized payload experiments on board. The rocket-powered Mach 5+ aircraft’s first user will be the US Air Force.
A reusable hypersonic test vehicle is expected to help reduce the cost and time needed to develop hypersonic aircraft and missiles.
Talon-A is launched from under the center of carrier aircraft Roc’s wing. Roc is the world’s largest flying aircraft and has a wingspan of 385ft.
Objectives achieved for the flight test include accomplishing a safe air-launch release of the TA-1 vehicle, engine ignition, acceleration, sustained climb in altitude, and a controlled water landing.
Dr Zachary Krevor, president and CEO of Stratolaunch said, “The successful outcome of the test is a direct result of the team’s technical prowess and professionalism.
“While I can’t share the specific altitude and speed TA-1 reached due to proprietary agreements with our customers, we are pleased to share that in addition to meeting all primary and customer objectives of the flight, we reached high supersonic speeds approaching Mach 5 and collected a great amount of data at an incredible value to our customers.
“Our goal with this flight was to continue our risk reduction approach for TA-2’s first reusable flight and be steadfast in delivering maximum value to our customers. We are excited to review the data from today’s test and use it as we plan our next steps toward TA-2’s first flight later this year.”
Concurrent to TA-1 testing, Stratolaunch is progressing on manufacturing TA-3, the second fully reusable vehicle in the Talon-A product line. The company is also beginning modifications to its additional launch platform, the Spirit of Mojave, a modified Boeing 747-400.
One of the challenging aspects of Stratolaunch’s concept has been the carrier aircraft Roc, the development of which started more than ten years ago. Stratolaunch initially pursued a concept that would see the giant aircraft act as a flying platform, from which to launch small satellites into orbit at a reduced cost compared to ground-based rocket launches before changing strategy towards providing hypersonic testing capabilities.
Roc first rolled out first rolled out in 2017 and made its first flight in 2019.
