Frequently
Asked Questions

Stratolaunch is a leading pure-play American hypersonics company built to deliver the testing, targets, data and systems the U.S. and its allies need to compete in the next era of aerospace defense.

Through its portfolio of reusable hypersonic test vehicles, expendable targets and weapon subsystems, Stratolaunch provides government and commercial customers with responsive, flexible flight test services across the full hypersonics ecosystem, from technology development and testing to training and operational readiness.

Stratolaunch provides hypersonic capabilities flight test services and related capabilities that help government and commercial customers:

• Accelerate technology development
• Evaluate propulsion systems
• Test materials, thermal protection systems, sensors and guidance technologies
• Collect critical flight data
• Reduce testing costs compared with traditional methods

Today, Stratolaunch operates across three complementary business areas:

• Reusable, Autonomous Hypersonic Flight Services that enable customers to evaluate technologies in real-world hypersonic flight conditions.
• Expendable Hypersonic Targets that replicate real-world hypersonic threats for missile defense testing, military exercises and training.
• Weapons Subsystems that provide avionics, actuation systems and other critical technologies supporting next-generation hypersonic programs.

Hypersonic flight refers to speeds greater than Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound.

Vehicles operating at hypersonic speeds experience extreme temperatures, aerodynamic forces and complex flight conditions that require specialized testing before operational deployment.

Hypersonic technologies are transforming national security by enabling faster, more capable systems for defense, scientific research and future commercial applications.

As demand for hypersonic capabilities continues to grow, so does the need for reliable, repeatable and responsive flight testing to provide a source of truth data.

Stratolaunch was founded in 2011 by philanthropist and technology entrepreneur Paul Allen. 

His vision was to create an air-launch platform capable of carrying large payloads into space. That vision led to the development of Roc, the world's largest fixed-wing aircraft by wingspan.

While Stratolaunch was originally focused on space launch, the company has evolved into a global leader in reusable hypersonic flight testing with rapidly advancing technologies that accelerate the development, testing and deployment of next-generation hypersonic capabilities.

Cerberus Capital Management acquired Stratolaunch in 2019.

Following the 2019 acquisition, Stratolaunch shifted its focus from commercial space launch to hypersonic flight testing and the development of next-generation hypersonic capabilities.

Today, Stratolaunch provides advanced airborne testing services that help accelerate national hypersonic development.

Today, the company develops reusable test vehicles, expendable targets and weapons sub-systems that help accelerate the development, testing and deployment of next-generation hypersonic technologies. 

This evolution has positioned Stratolaunch as a critical partner supporting government and commercial aerospace innovation.

Roc is the world's largest fixed-wing aircraft by wingspan, measuring 385 feet.

Roc was specifically designed as an airborne launch platform capable of carrying large payloads beneath its center wing section before releasing them during flight.

Today, Roc continues to serve as one of Stratolaunch's unique flight test assets thanks to its ability to launch Talon-A, the world’s only autonomous, reusable, air-launched hypersonic flight test platform.

Roc was originally developed to support air-launch access to space. Launching vehicles from altitude offers several advantages: 

• Unparalleled payload capacity (weight and volume)
• Flexible launch locations
• Weather avoidance
• Increased operational responsiveness 

Roc's exceptional payload capacity makes it an ideal platform for advanced hypersonic flight testing. 

Roc was designed and developed by Scaled Composites with contributions from leading aerospace engineers and suppliers across the industry. 

Its twin-fuselage design and 385-foot wingspan make it unlike any other operational aircraft. 

Roc continues to serve as one of Stratolaunch's unique flight test assets thanks to its ability to launch

Talon-A, the world’s only autonomous, reusable, air-launched hypersonic flight test platform from its center wing section during flight.

Stratolaunch's future extends beyond a single aircraft. The company continues expanding its fleet and capabilities to provide customers with greater mission flexibility and increased flight capacity.

Spirit of Mojave is Stratolaunch's modified 747 airborne launch platform. It can launch Talon-A, the world’s only autonomous, reusable, air-launched hypersonic flight test platform, during flight.

With worldwide launch capability and minimal ground support, it complements Roc by providing customers with an additional aircraft capable of supporting a broad range of hypersonic flight test missions.

Stratolaunch’s acquisition of Spirit of Mojave significantly expands the company’s flight test capacity and mission flexibility. The aircraft provides:

• Worldwide mission applicability
• Proven 747 reliability
• Flexible payload integration
• Established launch infrastructure
• Faster mission preparation
• Increased flight availability
• Ability to support a broader range of customer missions

Together, Roc and Spirit of Mojave provide customers with multiple airborne launch platforms tailored to different mission requirements.

Stratolaunch acquired the aircraft in 2023 as part of its long-term strategy to expand reusable hypersonic flight testing capacity. 

The choice to use Spirit of Mojave or Roc depends on the mission.

Spirit of Mojave offers:

• Greater operational flexibility
• Proven worldwide deployability
• Simplified logistics
• An established 747 maintenance ecosystem
• Efficient payload integration

Roc provides unique heavy-lift capabilities for specialized missions.

Together, Roc and Spirit of Mojave allow Stratolaunch to tailor flight test solutions to each customer's requirements.  Both are capable of launching Talon-A during flight.

Yes. 

Because it is built on the proven Boeing 747 platform, Spirit of Mojave can operate from airports around the world with relatively minimal ground infrastructure.

Its global mobility allows customers to conduct testing from locations that best support mission objectives while increasing operational flexibility.

The Talon-A is Stratolaunch's reusable autonomous hypersonic test platform. It is the only autonomous, reusable, air-launched hypersonic flight test platform in the U.S.

Designed specifically for flight testing, Talon-A enables customers to evaluate advanced technologies under true hypersonic flight conditions while supporting data collection throughout the mission. [Stratolaunch currently operates multiple Talon-A testbeds.

The Talon-A platform represents a significant advancement in reusable hypersonic testing. 

Unlike traditional test approaches that require a new vehicle for each mission, Talon-A's reusable design allows customers to conduct more frequent tests, collect valuable flight data and accelerate technology development while reducing development costs and timelines. 

Yes. 

Talon-A has successfully completed more than 10 powered hypersonic flight demonstrations, validating Stratolaunch's air-launch approach and proving the maturity of its reusable flight test capability. 

Each successful mission advances the company's goal of increasing hypersonic flight test capacity and providing customers with more frequent, responsive access to realistic flight environments. 

Yes. 

Stratolaunch supports the MACH-TB (Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonics Test Bed) program by providing reusable airborne hypersonic flight testing capabilities.

The program is designed to increase the frequency, affordability and accessibility of hypersonic testing for U.S. government customers. Stratolaunch's participation reflects its broader role in accelerating the development, testing and evaluation of next-generation hypersonic capabilities.

Stratolaunch supports a growing portfolio of U.S. government organizations, defense agencies, research organizations and commercial aerospace companies developing next-generation hypersonic capabilities.

Customers rely on Stratolaunch to accelerate technology development, testing and evaluation through responsive, reusable flight test services.

While many customer relationships and programs remain confidential because of contractual and national security requirements, the company supports a wide range of mission-critical initiatives across offensive and defensive hypersonic applications.

No. Stratolaunch does not manufacture operational weapons. Stratolaunch focuses on providing hypersonic flight test infrastructure and supporting technologies.

The company develops reusable test vehicles, expendable targets and weapon sub-systems and components that help customers accelerate the development, testing and evaluation of next-generation hypersonic technologies.

Stratolaunch is an advanced aerospace and defense company supporting U.S. national security through reusable test vehicles, expendable targets and weapon subsystems. 

The company partners with government and commercial customers to accelerate the development, testing and evaluation of next-generation hypersonic technologies while maintaining rigorous engineering, safety and security standards. 

Stratolaunch continues investing in the future of hypersonic flight testing by expanding its portfolio of reusable flight capabilities. 

Future developments are focused on increasing: 

• Mission flexibility
• Payload compatibility
• Flight cadence
• Customer responsiveness
• Operational scalability 

As customer demand continues to grow, Stratolaunch is expanding its capabilities to provide more frequent, responsive and flexible flight test services. 

Several capabilities distinguish Stratolaunch from other aerospace and defense companies.

Key differentiators include:

• The only reusable autonomous hypersonic platform in the U.S., enabling faster iteration, greater affordability and more frequent testing. We are developing the ability to air-launch multiple hypersonic vehicles in a single flight.
• Vertically integrated platform, combining specialized aircraft, reusable hypersonic vehicles, vertically integrated facilities and deep engineering expertise into a platform difficult to replicate.
• Operational maturity, with a demonstrated track-record of high-cadence hypersonic flight, expanding customer engagement and a clear path to scale across testing, targets and related mission systems.
• A critical national security partner, supporting customers across offensive and defensive hypersonic mission sets.

Together, these capabilities position Stratolaunch as a leader in reusable hypersonic flight testing and a critical partner advancing U.S. aerospace innovation and national security.

Stratolaunch's vision is to transform how hypersonic technologies are developed by making flight data more frequent, available and efficient.

As demand for hypersonic capabilities continues to grow, Stratolaunch is expanding its portfolio of reusable hypersonic test vehicles, expendable targets and weapons sub-systems to help customers move faster from concept to capability while advancing the future of high-speed flight.

By accelerating innovation across the hypersonics ecosystem, Stratolaunch is committed to strengthening its position as America’s leading hypersonics company and a trusted partner supporting U.S. national security.