US aerospace company, Stratolaunch, has announced a research contract with the Missile Defense Agency (MDA).
The company plans to improve existing Department of Defense flight test resources through affordable, commercially contracted, rapid-turnaround hypersonic flight testing as well as for DoD prime contractor partners.
"We're excited to provide MDA with a threat-representative and threat-replicating target that allows them to understand how to engage and intercept hypersonic threats," said Dr Daniel Millman, chief technology officer of Stratolaunch.
The Stratolaunch team is preparing to complete its next set of Roc carrier aircraft test flights.
The team also continues to make strides in building its first two Talon-A test vehicles: TA-0 and TA-1. TA-1 will start its power-on testing by the end of year, keeping the company on track to begin hypersonic flight testing in 2022 and to deliver services to government and commercial customers in 2023.
Launched from Stratolaunch's Roc carrier aircraft, the Talon-A vehicles are rocket-powered, autonomous, reusable testbeds carrying customized payloads at speeds above Mach 5. This capability enables routine access to the hypersonic flight environment, which is critical for scientific research, technological development, and component demonstration.
Stratolaunch's mission is to advance high-speed technology through innovative design, manufacturing, and operation of world-class aerospace vehicles. For the latest news and information.
