USA for the first time in half a century, reappear again in the era of multiple hypersonic flight tests, using an autonomous drone, Stratolaunch developed. US Department of Defense 5 May confirmed, that hypersonic apparatus called Talon A2 exceeded 5 Makhiv - hypersonic speed threshold - during two test flights, conducted with the support of the Pentagon in December 2024 year and March 2025 year.
These flights mark the first case since the X-15 program, which ended in 1968 year, When the US conducted multiple hypersonic trials. Програма гіперзвукових досліджень X-15 була результатом співпраці NASA, ВПС та ВМС США. Вона працювала майже 10 років і встановила рекорд швидкості Маха 6,7. The program contributed to the development of piloted space flights Mercury, Gemini та Apollo, as well as Space Shuttle.
Talon-a is operated by Stratolaunch, founded in 2011 year co -founder Microsoft Paul Allen. Flights were held as part of Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonic Test Bed (MACH-TB) - Initiatives of the Ministry of Defense, aimed at accelerating the development of hypersonic weapons by using commercially available test platforms. Stratolaunch is working under the leidos contract, which manages Mach-TB on behalf of the Pentagon Testing Resources Center.
Starting with a massive Stratolaunch carrier with a record wingspan 385 feet, drone Talon-A2 reached speed over 5 Махів над Тихим океаном під час останніх випробувань і приземлився на космічній базі Ванденберг у Каліфорнії. Stratolaunch заявила, що використання багаторазової платформи пропонує дешевшу та швидку альтернативу традиційним одноразовим системам, що дозволяє швидше отримувати дані та повторювати тестування.
The success of these trials marks a turning point for Stratolaunch, which has experienced financial difficulties after Allen's death in 2018 year. The company was created first to run orbital missiles from the air. Instead after the purchase of it in 2019 year, owner – CERBERUS CAPital Management switched their attention to hypersonic trials - turn, which since then meets the growing military demand.
Previous trials of the first one-time Talon-A company, By-1, In March 2024 the year ended with the achievement of high supersonic speed, A little less 5 Makhiv. In turn, The new version, By-2, that surpassed TA-1 speed is completely reusable.
Hypersonic weapons became a priority for the Pentagon against the background of concern about China and. These systems are designed to maneuver in flight and avoid traditional missile defense systems, What prompted the US to accelerate its own development programs and deploy defense networks, such as the "Golden Dome" - a planned multilayered missile defense system.
Talon-A2 is equipped with a missile engine Ursa Majoor's Hadley Rocket Engine 5000 pounds, that works on liquid oxygen and kerosene, with a stepped combustion cycle. It is intended for small rocket launchers and hypersonic applications.
Source: https://spacenews.com/ursa-majors-hadley-rocket-engine-flies-for-the-first-time/