Hypersonix Launch Systems, an Australian aerospace company renowned for its world leading hypersonic technology, has signed a framework agreement with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the Hypersonic Technologies & Capability Development Framework program. This contract positions Hypersonix as one of 90 companies selected to contribute hypersonic technology to the UK’s defence security strategy. The agreement is a significant milestone, with Hypersonix now holding defence contracts with two of the three AUKUS nations.
Strategic Expansion and Workforce Growth
In response to these new opportunities, Hypersonix has expanded its team to more than 40 personnel, with further plans for growth. The first build of DART under the US Defence Hypersonic & High-Cadence Airborne Testing (HyCAT) program is well underway and first launch is planned for early 2025 in the US. In June, Hypersonix also won the Defence & National Security Workforce Award’s Best Employee Incentive Program for their Employee Share Scheme.
Addressing Global Geopolitical Challenges
Amidst global geopolitical challenges, hypersonic technology is right at the front line of defence priorities as nations seek to enhance their rapid response capabilities and ensure national security. Speaking at the Australia British Defence Catalyst in London in July, Hypersonix CEO Matt Hill said “In an era where geopolitical tensions are rising, our advanced technologies like the DART hypersonic test bed, offer unparalleled advantages at a fraction of the cost of programs delivered by major defence primes” noted Matt Hill, Hypersonix Chief Executive Officer.
Low-cost hypersonic test bed capabilities are what will allow emerging deep-tech startups to gain valuable flight heritage to enable participation in broader government hypersonic programs like HTCDF.
AUKUS Pillar II Hypersonics
All three AUKUS nations are pursuing various hypersonic platform designs, some in concept development and some more mature and close to service. The US has several hypersonic programs across Air Force, Navy and Army aiming to provide both hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) and hypersonic cruise missile (HCM) technologies to the warfighter. The UK has never had a national hypersonic strike capability and HTCDF is the program aiming to deliver it. Australia is likely to acquire US hypersonic technology through AUKUS.
All three nations require a testing and evaluation capability to validate novel and emerging technologies such as guidance, navigation, electronics, materials, telemetry for hypersonic flight. Hypersonix is proposing the AUKUS nations utilise Australia’s unique geography as a test bed for these programs. “Australia is unique in its remoteness, its vast size and its multiple locations for both launch and test ranges, both oversea and overland”, said Matt Hill.
Hypersonix is not only building innovative hypersonic technology but is also developing the strategic partnerships with governments, regulators and industry to ensure the technology is utilised to maximum benefit by defence and allied partners.
A successful first launch in early 2025 will be the first step to a rapid growth phase for Hypersonix as it delivers against contracts with an order book rapidly filling up.
For further information, please visit www.hypersonix.com.
image Hypersonix CEO Matt Hill & Head of Commercial & Strategy Andy Mulholland with the Her Excellency the Hon Jeannette Young, Governor of Queensland, and her husband Prof Graeme Nimmo at Farnborough Airshow in July.
