Stratolaunch has announced it successfully performed a hypersonic flight test in partnership with the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) on March 6, 2026.

The company used its modified Boeing 747-400 carrier aircraft, named Spirit of Mojave, to air-launch the Talon-A3 hypersonic vehicle from Mojave Air and Space Port.

The Spirit of Mojave delivered the Talon-A3 to the required release altitude, allowing the test vehicle to fly free and perform a high-altitude test. The goal of the mission, designated Flight Test Experiment Other-04 (FEX-04), was to further Stratolaunch’s hypersonic testing capabilities.

Stratolaunch’s latest MDA test

Stratolaunch operates the Talon-A fleet as reusable platforms specifically designed for hypersonic testing. The hypersonic test vehicles support both government and industry efforts to develop and validate technologies operating at speeds exceeding Mach 5—five times the speed of sound.

The March flight test builds on previous test missions performed under an ongoing collaboration between Stratolaunch and the MDA. Stratolaunch has revealed little in the way of specifications regarding the March flight test, which is likely down to the sensitive military nature of the operation.

In a press statement, Dr. Zachary Krevor, Stratolaunch president and CEO, highlighted the increasing need for hypersonic test platforms. “Hypersonic testing requires precision, speed, and reliable access to flight,” he said.

“Each mission expands the nation’s ability to test and advance critical technologies, and we are proud to support our government partners as they accelerate innovation in high-speed flight.”

From satellites to hypersonic research: A brief history of Stratolaunch

Stratolaunch positions itself as a provider of flight-test infrastructure for the growing hypersonic sector.

The company was originally founded with the intention of lifting satellites to low Earth orbit using its Roc aircraft, which has the largest wingspan of any operational aircraft in the world.

Stratolaunch pivoted to hypersonic testing in 2020 following the death of its founder, Paul Allen, and its acquisition by Cerberus Capital Management. In 2023, the company bought the Spirit of Mojave—previously known as ‘Cosmic Girl’—off Virgin Orbit, another company that had previously aimed to lift rockets to space via airplane.

Now, the company designs, manufactures, and operates specialized aerospace vehicles to address the technical challenges of sustained hypersonic flight, including thermal management, vehicle stability, and data acquisition under extreme conditions. Such testing supports broader national priorities in defense and aerospace innovation.

The successful FEX-04 mission demonstrates the reusability and reliability of the Talon-A platform. By recovering and refurbishing these test vehicles, Stratolaunch can conduct multiple flights at reduced cost per test compared to expendable systems. This model supports more frequent experimentation, which is crucial when it comes to maturing hypersonic technologies that have applications in both military and potential civilian domains.

The Spirit of Mojave serves as a key asset in Stratolaunch’s fleet. A heavily modified Boeing 747-400, it enables air-launch operations and high-speed research with the flexibility to operate from conventional runways worldwide. This capability allows for rapid mission turnaround compared to traditional ground-based vertical rocket launches.