A hypersonics deal with small launch on the side?

8/10/2023 - Written By Caleb Henry

U.S. defense company Kratos Defense and Security Solutions announced Aug. 9 plans to buy up to 20 Dart AE hypersonic vehicles from Australian aerospace startup Hypersonix. The deal, while focused on bringing Australian defense tech to the U.S., also could further Hypersonix’s pursuit of a small launch vehicle.  

Sydney-based Hypersonix is developing hydrogen-fueled Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) powered by 3D-printed scramjet engines. One such Dart AE vehicle is slated to launch on a Rocket Lab suborbital mission in 2024. The U.S. Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is supporting that mission. 

The Pentagon remains concerned that the U.S. military lags China in developing hypersonic weapons despite billions spent on their development. Through the trilateral AUKUS agreement, Australia, the U.K. and the U.S. are deepening ties on key defense capabilities, a policy move of which Hypersonix is the latest beneficiary. 

Hypersonix is using Dart AE as a steppingstone to a reusable, space-capable UAV called Delta-Velos, designed to launch smallsats to LEO. The company also plans to develop a reusable first-stage booster called Boomerang.  

Small launch remains an intensely crowded and challenging market, but that hasn’t stopped companies from pursuing it. Hypersonix may have an advantage by starting with hypersonic defense work, creating a revenue stream, a means of technology maturation, and access to the U.S. market. Many historic rockets (Atlas, Delta, Proton, etc.) got their start as missile programs before scaling up to space launch vehicles. In the modern age of blazing-fast weaponry, hypersonics could be that new onramp to space access.  

We also wouldn’t be surprised if the company entertains point-to-point cargo transportation, given DoD’s interest and similar pursuits by peer spaceplane companies like Radian and Sierra Space. 

SOURCE: https://www.c4isrnet.com/battlefield-tech/2023/08/09/kratos-hypersonix-team-up-on-hypersonic-systems-for-us-market/