Specter Aerospace expects to conduct flight tests of a plasma-assisted, ramjet-powered supersonic missile in 2026, followed by tests of a larger dual-mode ramjet-scramjet-powered hypersonic cruise vehicle in 2027-28.
A hypersonic reentry capsule built by space technology company Varda Space Industries successfully landed Jan. 29, marking the company’s first reentry of 2026.
Stratolaunch and Varda Space Industries will provide reusable systems capable of supporting dozens of flight tests annually at hypersonic speed, the DOD says.
Lockheed Martin has unveiled initial details of a comprehensive hypersonic missile defense system developed under a secretive initiative dubbed Pitch Black.
The European Union plans to contribute €1 billion to the 2026 European Defense Fund program, with hypersonic defenses gaining a large share of the allocation.
Castelion announced Oct. 24 it has received multiple contracts to integrate its Blackbeard hypersonic weapon system onto existing U.S. Army and Navy platforms.
Kratos Defense will use the Hermeus high-speed Quarterhorse aircraft as part of its support work for the U.S. Navy and Missile Defense Agency’s MACH-TB program.
As interest grows in rotating detonation engines for hypersonic flight, a startup specialist in the tech says it will receive backing from Lockheed Martin.
GE Aerospace has demonstrated two different rotating detonation combustion (RDC) engines—a missile-scale ramjet and a dual-mode ramjet for high-speed aircraft.
