The US Department of Defense has announced a groundbreaking development in the field of aerospace technologies. The Talon-A (TA-2), a reusable hypersonic aircraft developed by Stratolaunch, made history by exceeding Mach 5 in its second successful flight test conducted in March. This test flight made the Talon-A the first fully autonomous aircraft to reach this high speed and then successfully land autonomously.
Perfect Launch from Roc Carrier Drone
This historic flight was performed from Stratolaunch’s giant twin-fuselage carrier aircraft, the Roc. Carried to a high altitude over the Pacific Ocean, the Talon-A achieved incredible acceleration after launch, reaching a speed of over Mach 5. At the end of the test, the vehicle made a flawless landing at Vandenberg Space Force Base as planned. According to Defense News, this critical flight was conducted within the scope of MACH-TB (Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonic Testbed), one of the priority programs of the US Department of Defense. The data obtained during the flight showed only a 1% deviation from the performance criteria determined by the US Department of Defense, which clearly demonstrates how successful the test was. These important tests are being conducted within the framework of the Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonics Test Bed (MACH-TB) initiative, launched under the leadership of the Test Resource Management Center (TRMC).
Low Cost Testing Opportunity for Hypersonic Systems
The main purpose of the development of the Talon-A hypersonic test aircraft is to create an economical and recoverable platform where engine, sensor and communication systems can be tested under real flight conditions in the research and development processes of future weapon systems that will operate at hypersonic speeds (approximately 6200 km/h). Talon-A, which has the ability to be reused thanks to the Hadley liquid-fueled rocket engine specially produced by the Ursa Major company, has the potential to significantly reduce the development costs of hypersonic systems and the time spent in this process. This means a great advantage for the defense industry.
Roc: New Home Base for Hypersonic Testing
Stratolaunch’s Roc carrier aircraft with a large wingspan enables hypersonic vehicles such as the Talon-A to be carried safely to high altitudes for exoplanet test flights. This unique system offers unparalleled flexibility and sustainability in the hypersonic technology development process. This capability makes the Roc an indispensable tool for future hypersonic tests. This latest successful test flight also marks a significant return to reusable hypersonic flight testing by the US since the legendary X-1968 Program ended in 15. This clearly demonstrates the US’s ambition and commitment to hypersonic technologies.
Stratolaunch's Busy Flight Schedule
Stratolaunch has signed a contract with the US Department of Defense for a total of 5 test flights as part of the MACH-TB Program. According to the statements made by the company, the flight schedule until the end of 2025 is fully booked. This shows that Talon-A will continue its critical test flights in the coming period. In addition to the current Roc carrier aircraft, Stratolaunch announced that it is planned to begin hypersonic test flights with the Spirit of Mojave, a modified Boeing 747 aircraft, in 2025. With the commissioning of this second carrier aircraft, the frequency and efficiency of hypersonic tests will increase even further, and the US’s technological superiority in this field will be reinforced. This historic success of Talon-A is considered a promising turning point for the future of hypersonic technologies.
