Australian Startup Raises $46 Million for World’s First Hydrogen-Fueled Hypersonic Flight
Australian aerospace startup Hypersonix Launch Systems has raised $46 million to support flight testing of the world’s first hydrogen-fueled hypersonic vehicle.
The series A funding round was backed by a consortium of national and international investors, including Australia’s National Reconstruction Fund Corporation (NRFC).
It was led by UK national security investor High Tor Capital, with backing from Saab and Polish family office RKKVC.
This will enable Hypersonix to test-fly its DART AE reusable hypersonic vehicle under the US Defense Innovation Unit’s HyCAT hypersonic testing program.
The 3.5-meter (11.5-foot) DART AE is powered by Hypersonix’s 3D-printed Spartan scramjet engine and is designed to fly at speeds up to Mach 7 (8,643 kilometers/5,371 miles per hour).
Developed and built in Australia, the aircraft will serve as a testbed for emerging and high-performance technologies.
Initial DART test flights are planned for early next year at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.
“NRFC funding will pay for product development, the establishment of advanced manufacturing capabilities in Queensland, and hypersonic testing of Hypersonix’s DART vehicles by the US Government’s Defence Innovation Unit,” NRFC stated.
Hydrogen-Fueled Engine
Founded in Brisbane in 2019, Hypersonix aims to develop and commercialize its scramjet-propelled, multi-generational vehicles for dual-use applications.
Unlike conventional kerosene-fueled scramjet engines, Hypersonix’s reusable 3D-printed scramjet engine features no moving parts and runs on hydrogen, producing no emissions.
It can reach speeds up to Mach 12 (14,818 kilometers/9,207 miles per hour).
“SPARTAN is more than a propulsion system. It’s a breakthrough in reusable hypersonic flight,” Hypersonix co-founder and developer of the technology Michael Smart said.
“What we’re building is a sovereign platform that’s clean, cost-effective, and engineered for the real world.”
Military Aircraft
In addition to DART AE, the company’s plans include developing the VISR and Delta Velos hypersonic vehicles.
The 16-meter (52-foot) Delta Velos is designed to reach speeds between Mach 5 and 12 and can be used for satellite launches and low-Earth orbit resupply missions.
Meanwhile, the 8-meter (26-foot) VISR is designed to fly at speeds between Mach 5 and 10 and can land on a standard runway.
It is intended for multiple applications, including long-range military surveillance and high-speed cargo transport.
“Having Australia’s sovereign investor in manufacturing capability behind such a critical strategic capability sends a powerful message,” Hypersonix CEO Matt Hill explained.
“It shows real confidence in our mission and highlights the importance of building clean, reusable aerospace systems that meet today’s national security needs while shaping tomorrow’s industry.”
