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Advanced / Transformational Technology

DoD Flies Hypersonic Test Vehicle Again, Demonstrating Reusability

By Cal Biesecker

Monday, May 5th, 2025

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DoD Flies Hypersonic Test Vehicle Again, Demonstrating Reusability

Autonomous landing of Stratolaunch's Talon-A2 hypersonic test vehicle. Photo: Straolaunch

The Defense Department in March successfully conducted its second flight test of a reusable uncrewed hypersonic vehicle that landed after exceeding Mach 5, a key milestone in increasing the cadence for hypersonic testing, the department said on Monday. The Stratolaunch-built Talon-A2 hypersonic vehicle, which was air launched from the company’s Roc carrier aircraft, was powered by Ursa Major’s 5,000-pound thrust Hadley liquid rocket engine, and represented the second successful sustained hypersonic flight test for the vehicle and engine in three…

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