Stratolaunch's hypersonic vehicle completes critical design review

Stratolaunch’s (Seattle, Wash., U.S.) Talon-A hypersonic test vehicles have successfully completed its critical design review (CDR), a multidisciplinary technical review that ensures systems meet specified performance requirements.

Launched from Stratolaunch’s Roc composite carrier aircraft, the Talon-A vehicles are rocket-propelled, autonomous, reusable testbeds carrying customizable payloads at speeds above Mach 5. This capability reportedly enables routine access to the hypersonic flight environment, which is critical for scientific research, technological development and component demonstration.

The Stratolaunch carrier aircraft boasts a 385-foot wingspan and a composite-intensive structure. It measures 28 feet long (8.5 meters), with a wingspan of 14 feet (4.3 meters) and a launch weight of approximately 6,500 pounds. Stratolaunch plans to begin hypersonic flight testing in 2022 and deliver services to government and commercial customers by 2023.

Brandon Wood, the aircraft’s program director, says, “We have a world-class engineering team, and this successful CDR is a demonstration of their talent. Our Talon-A design and revolutionary launch capability can transform the hypersonic field and make testing dramatically more accessible and effective.”

In parallel with the technical review, Stratolaunch has implemented a rapid-prototyping approach for its Talon-A vehicles. The initial airframe assembly process has been completed and the subsystems installation has begun. Functional testing is expected to begin in early 2022.

Stratolaunch says its mobile, multi-vehicle carrier aircraft, the Roc, is a key differentiator in the company’s approach. It claims the Roc — which is apparently the world’s largest plane — is a revolutionary launch platform for hypersonic vehicles, and is critical to eliminating technical and logistical barriers that prevent routine hypersonic testing. Stratolaunch has successfully completed two test flights and plans on completing additional flight tests in the coming months. Following the test flights, the company plans to focus on pylon installation for the Talon-A vehicles, as well as expand the flight envelope of the Roc carrier aircraft.