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Stratolaunch, a California-based aerospace company, has secured a significant $24.7 million contract from the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to support the testing of hypersonic missile defense technologies. This agreement underscores advancing national defense capabilities by testing missile defense systems against the growing threat of hypersonic weapons.
The contract will focus on utilizing Stratolaunch’s Talon-A and Spirit of Mojave platforms, both of which are capable of providing unique and reusable testing capabilities. These systems are designed to help the U.S. military improve its readiness in defending against hypersonic threats, which are known for their speed and low-altitude flight patterns that make them difficult to detect and intercept.
Dr. Zachary Krevor, President and CEO of Stratolaunch, expressed the company’s excitement about the partnership, noting that the mission would significantly enhance the U.S. defense posture. The company’s platforms are equipped to provide rapid and flexible testing of advanced missile defense systems, especially as hypersonic weapons pose a challenge to current defense mechanisms.
A key component of the project involves modifying Stratolaunch’s Spirit of Mojave 747, a modified Boeing 747 aircraft, to enable the Talon-A testbed to fly from various locations globally. This modification will allow the testbed to operate far beyond the U.S. west coast, expanding its reach and testing capabilities. The flight test campaign is slated for the fourth quarter of 2025.
Talon-A, an autonomous and reusable hypersonic testbed, will be launched from the Spirit of Mojave 747 and is capable of achieving high Mach speeds across various altitudes and flight profiles. This flexibility makes it a reliable platform for testing under real hypersonic conditions. Stratolaunch also emphasized the aircraft’s ability to carry customizable payloads and provide high-quality data, offering rapid flight turnaround while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
The MDA agreement highlights the company’s commitment to enhancing high-speed technologies, contributing to the advancement of missile defense systems and national security efforts.
