Get the latest tech news

Pentagon's hypersonic milestone: Stratolaunch reusable vehicle breaks Mach 5


Launched from Roc, Stratolaunch’s massive carrier aircraft boasting a record-breaking 385-foot wingspan, the Talon-A2 drone was released over the Pacific Ocean.

Launched from Roc, Stratolaunch’s massive carrier aircraft boasting a record-breaking 385-foot wingspan, the Talon-A2 drone was released over the Pacific Ocean in the latest tests, reached speeds above Mach 5, and landed at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Stratolaunch said its reusable platform offers a lower-cost, rapid-turnaround alternative to traditional expendable systems, allowing faster data retrieval and repeated testing. The company, originally created to launch orbital rockets from the air, was acquired in 2019 by Cerberus Capital Management, which shifted its focus toward hypersonic testing—a pivot that has since aligned with growing military demand.

Get the Android app

Or read this on r/technology

Read more on:

Photo of Pentagon

Pentagon

Photo of Mach

Mach

Photo of hypersonic milestone

hypersonic milestone

Related news:

News photo

Pentagon declares war on 'outdated' software buying, opens fire on open source

News photo

Ford’s electric Mach-E outsold the gas-powered Mustang for the first time

News photo

Hegseth had an unsecured internet line set up in his office to connect to Signal