The US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has awarded a $24.7-million contract to Stratolaunch for testing advanced missile defense systems against hypersonic weapons.
Under the agreement, the company will upgrade the Spirit of Mojave 747 launch platform to integrate the Talon-A vehicle, an autonomous and reusable testbed.
The project will begin in the fourth quarter of this year, with Spirit of Mojave 747 modifications taking place mainly at Stratolaunch’s headquarters in Mojave, California.
“This mission will enhance our national security posture, enabling rapid testing of new missile defense architectures designed to defend against hypersonic threats,” said Stratolaunch President and CEO Zachary Krevor.
Hypersonic threats are particularly challenging to detect and counter due to their speed and low-altitude flight paths with unpredictable trajectories, explained Michael Kryzak, MDA Director of Systems Targets and Countermeasures.
Stratolaunch’s Progress in Hypersonic Tests
In recent years, Stratolaunch has been upgrading the Talon-A vehicle to boost its hypersonic test capabilities.
In March 2024, the company completed the first powered flight of the Talon-A from a Roc aircraft.
During the demonstration, the system reached high supersonic speeds —approximately Mach 5 — achieving the main objective of the test.
The flight was also capable of accomplishing other goals, including safe air launch release of the test vehicle, engine ignition, sustained climb in altitude, and controlled water landing.
