US aerospace company breaks speed barriers with hypersonic Talon-A2 aircraft

A US aerospace company has shattered speed records by successfully developing the hypersonic Talon-A2 aircraft, pushing the boundaries of aviation technology into a new era.

Stratolaunch aerospace company successfully launched its hypersonic Talon-A2 aircraft, reaching speeds exceeding 6,000 km/h. This achievement marks a key milestone in US aviation by combining the world’s largest aircraft, the Stratolaunch Roc, with cutting-edge hypersonic technology, Caliber.Az reports via FarmingDale-Observer.

The Stratolaunch Roc is an engineering marvel, measuring 73 meters long with a wingspan of 117 meters—almost the length of a football field. Powered by six engines and featuring twin fuselages connected by a central wing, this massive aircraft serves as an airborne launch platform. Its size allows it to carry and deploy advanced payloads at high altitudes, creating ideal conditions for launching hypersonic vehicles like the Talon-A2.

This innovative air-launch method offers advantages over traditional ground-based systems, including reduced fuel consumption and increased mission flexibility, making it valuable for both commercial and military applications.

The Talon-A2 represents the forefront of hypersonic technology. This unmanned rocket-powered aircraft, equipped with Ursa Major’s Hadley engine, reaches speeds of Mach 5 (around 6,200 km/h) using kerosene and liquid oxygen fuel. At 13 meters long and weighing 2.5 tons, the Talon-A2 achieves sustained hypersonic flight followed by a conventional runway landing. It completed successful test flights in December 2024 and March 2025, demonstrating reliability and precision.

Capable of carrying up to 450 kg of payload, the Talon-A2 serves as a versatile platform for testing sensors, experimental equipment, and military systems. Its success marks the first US operation of a reusable hypersonic aircraft since NASA’s X-15 programme ended in 1968.

Funded by the Pentagon’s MACH-TB programme, these tests accelerate hypersonic weapons development, enabling rapid response times and challenging current defence systems. Stratolaunch’s strategic pivot following co-founder Paul Allen’s death in 2018 has positioned the company as a leader in military hypersonic technology, with plans to expand launch capabilities using the Boeing 747 “Cosmic Girl” for the upcoming Talon-A3.

Beyond military gains, data from these flights will advance aerospace research in flight control, thermal dynamics, and materials science. These developments could lead to ultra-fast transport and global surveillance technologies, solidifying the US position in the global hypersonic race.

By Naila Huseynova