MISSION SUCCESS: Australian Hypersonic Pioneer Achieves First Flight

03 Maret 2026

Hypersonix's DART AE demonstrator vehicle (photo: HLS)

Wallops Island, Virginia, USA -- Australian hypersonic flight pioneer Hypersonix Launch Systems (HLS) has successfully completed the first flight of its DART AE hypersonic aircraft, marking a major milestone in the development of advanced hypersonic systems.

The mission, titled That’s Not A Knife, lifted off at 7pm Eastern on Friday, February 27th (11am AEDT on Saturday, February 28th) from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 within the Virginia Spaceport Authority’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Wallops Island, Virginia, aboard Rocket Lab’s HASTE launch vehicle. 

The flight was conducted under the US Department of War’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). 

Hypersonic flight refers to speeds above Mach 5, more than five times the speed of sound. Hypersonix is developing a new class of autonomous hypersonic aircraft capable of sustained flight up to Mach 12. Its flagship DART AE is a 3.5-metre autonomous hypersonic aircraft designed to validate propulsion, materials, sensors and guidance systems in real hypersonic flight conditions.

During the mission, HASTE carried DART AE to the planned deployment point in the upper atmosphere. DART AE then executed its hypersonic mission, gathering invaluable technical data for the team to analyse in the coming weeks.

Hypersonix co-founder Dr Michael Smart, a former NASA research scientist and former Chair of Hypersonic Propulsion at the University of Queensland, said the mission confirmed years of technical work.

The Hypersonix DART AE vehicle aboard Rocket Lab’s HASTE launch vehicle at the Virginia Spaceport Authority’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Wallops Island, Virginia (photo: HLS)

“This mission allowed us to test propulsion, materials and control systems in real hypersonic conditions,” Dr Smart said.

“At these speeds and temperatures, there is no substitute for flight data. The results from this mission will directly shape the design of future operational hypersonic aircraft.”

Hypersonix CEO Matt Hill said the successful mission represents a defining moment for the company and for Australia’s advanced aerospace capability.

“This flight reflects years of focused engineering work and the confidence placed in us by our partners,” Mr Hill said.

“Successfully flying DART AE in a true hypersonic environment confirms that an Australian company can design, build and operate technology in one of the most demanding flight regimes on Earth. It is an important step toward delivering hypersonic systems that are operationally relevant for Australia and its allies.”

The successful mission follows Hypersonix’s recent $46 million Series A funding round, backed by Australia’s National Reconstruction Fund Corporation and Queensland Investment Corporation. The round was led by High Tor Capital, a UK investor in national security and frontier technology, with European defence company Saab and Polish family office RKKVC also supporting the raise.

The funding is accelerating Hypersonix’s flight test program, expanding advanced manufacturing capability in Queensland and fast-tracking development of the company’s next hypersonic platform, VISR (Velos Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance). Hypersonix currently employs more than 50 people in Brisbane across aerospace engineering, advanced manufacturing and testing roles.

(HLS)