Hypersonic aircraft that can reach speeds of 6,000 kilometers per hour completes test flight

Tech & Gadgets

STRATOLAUNCH has just completed a successful test run of its hypersonic Talon-A vehicle.

Founded in 2011, Stratolaunch is a private aerospace company based in the Mojave Desert north of Los Angeles.

Stratoloaunch just completed a successful test run of its hypersonic Talon-A vehicle

The aircraft was launched from the world's largest operational aircraft, the Roc — The aircraft was launched from the world’s largest operational aircraft, the Roc

Earlier this week, the company announced that it has successfully launched its Talon-A aircraft, also known as TA-1.

The jet was launched from the world’s largest operational aircraft, the Roc, a huge twin-fuselage aircraft.

In a new videothe TA-1 can be seen alone for the first time after being launched from the 100 meter wide kite.

According to reports, the plane reached speeds close to Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound.

Mach 5 is equivalent to about 6,000 kilometers per hour – at speeds of Mach 5, a plane could get from London to New York in just one hour.

However, specific details about the flight’s altitude and speed cannot be made public due to confidentiality agreements with Stratolaunch’s customers.

The successful test represents a major step forward in the development of hypersonic technology, the company said in a press release.

“Today was a great day for the Stratolaunch team,” said Dr. Zachary Krevor, president and CEO of Stratolaunch. “I am extremely proud of their perseverance to get to this point.”

“The successful outcome of the test is a direct result of the technical competence and professionalism of the team,” he added.

Dr. Krevor noted that the primary objectives of the test included the safe aerial release of the TA-1 vehicle, engine ignition, acceleration, sustained altitude gain and a controlled water landing.

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“Our goal with this flight was to continue our risk reduction approach for the first reusable flight of TA-2 and remain steadfast in our commitment to delivering maximum value to our customers,” said Dr. Krevor.

“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,” he added.

In addition to the TA-1, the company is developing the TA-3, the second fully reusable vehicle in the Talon-A product line.

The company is also beginning modifications to one of its launch pads called the Spirit of Mojave, a modified Boeing 747-400.