US Achieves Hypersonic Milestone: Reusable Talon-A Exceeds Mach 5, Closing Gap with China
The U.S. is accelerating its push in the hypersonic weapons race, marking a significant milestone with the successful test of the reusable Talon-A hypersonic vehicle. This achievement signals progress in closing the gap with China, which has been leading in this critical technology area. The Pentagon confirmed the second successful test in March, just three months after the initial trial, marking the country’s first return to reusable hypersonic flight testing since the end of the manned X-15 program in 1968.
Stratolaunch’s Talon-A, launched mid-air from the Roc carrier aircraft, soared over the Pacific Ocean and exceeded speeds of Mach 5 before a safe landing at Vandenberg Space Force Base. These tests are part of the Test Resource Management Center’s (TRMC) Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonics Test Bed (MACH-TB) initiative, aimed at quickly delivering advanced hypersonic capabilities.
According to George Rumford, Director of the TRMC, demonstrating the reuse of fully recoverable hypersonic test vehicles is crucial. The lessons from this test campaign are expected to significantly reduce vehicle turnaround time, from months to weeks, ultimately lowering costs and accelerating the development of next-generation hypersonic weapons. These weapons can fly several times the speed of sound, potentially reducing an adversary’s response time and bypassing traditional defenses.
Dr. Zachary Krevor, President and CEO of Stratolaunch, stated that the data collected from the second flight is being used to enhance the strength and performance of the Talon-Avehicles. The first flight review confirmed the robustness of the Talon-A design and its ability to meet customer performance requirements.
Unlike conventional single-use rockets, the reusable design of the Talon-A allows for rapid redeployment at a lower cost. The vehicle is powered by a Hadley liquid rocket engine built by start-up Ursa Major. This capability is essential, as the Defense Department strives to increase its hypersonic flight cadence to around one test per week, a goal driven by the progress of nations like China and Russia in fielding their own hypersonic systems.
The success of Stratolaunch in recovering the Talon-A vehicle following hypersonic flight is a watershed moment. The United States hasn’t possessed a recoverable hypersonic aircraft since the X-15 program concluded in the late 1960s, and never one that’s fully autonomous. This recovery capability will make hypersonic testing significantly more affordable. The Pentagon aims to make such hypersonic testbeds more accessible to operational systems, whose demand for testing exceeds the current infrastructure.
Stratolaunch is currently contracted for five MACH-TB flights and will support a Missile Defense Agency test campaign later this year. The company has a full flight manifest through 2025 and has started booking the Talon-A for 2026.
Courtney Albon from C4ISRNET reports that modifications are currently in progress on the Spirit of Mojave, a modified Boeing 747 jetliner, so the company has greater bandwidth for more customers.
The successful tests of the Talon-A represent a substantial step forward for the U.S. in the hypersonic arena, showcasing the viability of reusable hypersonic technology and paving the way for more affordable and frequent testing. Will this breakthrough close the hypersonic gap, and how will it impact future defense strategies? Share your thoughts in the comments below.