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2mo ago

Pentagon Confirms Second Successful Reusable Hypersonic Test Flight

Stratolaunch’s Talon-A vehicle surpassed Mach 5, marking the U.S.'s first reusable hypersonic tests since 1968 under the MACH-TB program.

The Pentagon building is seen in Arlington, Virginia, U.S. October 9, 2020. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo
Stratolaunch completed the second hypersonic flight and recovery with the Talon-A2 fully autonomous vehicle. Credit: Stratolaunch
Stratolaunch's Talon-A2 first autonomous landing at Vandenberg Space Force Base. (PRNewsfoto/Stratolaunch)
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Overview

  • The Department of Defense confirmed the second successful flight of the reusable Talon-A hypersonic test vehicle, conducted in March 2025.
  • Both flights, including the first in December 2024, were air-launched from Stratolaunch’s Roc carrier aircraft and landed at Vandenberg Space Force Base.
  • The Talon-A exceeded speeds of Mach 5, demonstrating reusability and rapid turnaround potential to accelerate hypersonic weapons development.
  • The tests were part of the MACH-TB initiative, which aims to lower costs and increase the frequency of hypersonic experimentation.
  • Powered by Ursa Major’s Hadley liquid rocket engine, the Talon-A enables testing of advanced systems like sensors and engines for next-generation weapons.