Hypersonic plane that reaches speeds of 3,800mph completes test flight – and could fly from London to NY in an hour
STRATOLAUNCH has just completed a successful test run of its Talon-A hypersonic vehicle.
Founded in 2011, Stratolaunch is a private aerospace company based in the Mojave Desert north of Los Angeles.
Earlier this week, the company announced that it successfully launched its Talon-A aircraft, also known as TA-1.
The jet was launched from the world’s largest operational aircraft, the Roc, a massive twin-fuselage plane.
In a new video, the TA-1 can be seen flying alone for the first time after being launched from the 385-foot-wide flier.
According to reports, the jet achieved speeds close to Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound.
Mach 5 is equal to around 3,836 miles per hour (mph) – speeds of Mach 5 could get a plane from London to New York in just one hour.
However, specific details of the flight’s altitude and speed cannot be disclosed due to confidentiality agreements with Stratolaunch’s clients.
The successful test represents a major step forward in the development of hypersonic technology, the company said in a press release.
“Today was a great day for the Stratolaunch team,” said Dr. Zachary Krevor, President and CEO of Stratolaunch. “I am extremely proud of their perseverance to reach this point.”
“The successful outcome of the test is a direct result of the team’s technical prowess and professionalism,” he added.
Dr. Krevor noted that the primary objectives for the flight test included accomplishing safe air-launch release of the TA-1 vehicle, engine ignition, acceleration, sustained climb in altitude, and a controlled water landing.
“Our goal with this flight was to continue our risk reduction approach for TA-2’s first reusable flight and be steadfast on our commitment of delivering maximum value to our customers,” Dr. Krevor said.
“We are excited to review the data from today’s test and use it as we plan our next steps toward TA-2’s first flight later this year,” he added.
Alongside the TA-1, the company is working to advance its TA-3, the second fully reusable vehicle in that Talon-A product line.
The company is also beginning modifications to one of its launch platforms dubbed the Spirit of Mojave, which is a modified Boeing 747-400.