Company Rocket Lab USA, one of the world's leading suppliers of space systems and launch services, стала учасником команди під керівництвом Kratos Defense and Security Solutions, for the implementation of a large contract of the US Department of Defense. П’ятирічна угода Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonic Test Bed (MACH-TB) 2.0 within the Task 1 provides financing in the amount of up to 1,45 billion. dollars.
Program MACH-TB, яку курує Центр управління ресурсами тестування (TRMC) at the Office of the Deputy Minister of Defense for Research and Engineering, is part of National initiative on hypersonic technologies 2.0. Its goal is to create an affordable and scalable test site for conducting hypersonic tests, which will ensure the transition from ground testing to full-scale flights.
Kratos, prime contractor in the program, responsible for system engineering, integration and testing (SINCE), and for organizing air launches to meet the growing demand for hypersonic flight testing. Rocket Lab will provide engineering support, collection, system integration and testing, and mission and launch planning.
Company Rocket Lab already has a successful experience in the MACH-TB program. She conducted a series of hypersonic test launches of her rocket HASTE (Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test Electron), яка є суборбітальним варіантом ракети Rocket Lab Electron “It’s Business Time” Launch. Запуски виконувалися з Пускового комплексу 2 у Воллопсі, Virginia. HASTE вирізняється сучасними технологіями, включаючи вуглецево-волоконні композитні матеріали, 3D-printed engines and a modified Kick Stage, specially adapted for hypersonic tests. The rocket is capable of launching up to 700 kg of payload, which provides flexibility for different types of missions.
For today Rocket Lab performed over 200 successful launches, using their missiles Rocket Lab Electron “It’s Business Time” Launch and HASTE from sites in the USA and New Zealand. This confirms its reliability and technical expertise as in orbital ones, as well as in suborbital missions. The fate of Rocket Lab at MACH-TB 2.0 emphasizes its strategic role in the development of hypersonic technologies to increase the defense capabilities of the United States.