- Hypersonix Launch Systems confirmed a late-February launch window for the first flight test of its DART AE scramjet-powered hypersonic aircraft from Wallops Island, Virginia.
- The Cassowary Vex mission will test the hydrogen-fueled SPARTAN engine and validate propulsion, materials, and guidance systems under hypersonic flight conditions.
Australian aerospace company Hypersonix Launch Systems confirmed Feb. 13, 2026, that a launch window has been set for the first flight test of its DART AE hypersonic aircraft, with the mission scheduled to launch no earlier than late February from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Wallops Island, Virginia.
The flight, known as the Cassowary Vex mission, will deploy the 3.5-meter scramjet-powered DART AE vehicle aboard Rocket Lab’s launch mission titled “That’s Not A Knife.” The test is intended to validate propulsion, materials, sensors, and guidance systems under real hypersonic flight conditions, according to the company.
Hypersonix said the mission represents the first flight of DART AE, an autonomous hypersonic aircraft designed to demonstrate sustained high-speed flight using the company’s SPARTAN scramjet engine. The engine is 3D-printed, reusable, and designed to operate at speeds exceeding Mach 5 without moving parts.
According to a company announcement, the exact launch date and timing will be released within 24 hours of the opening of the launch window. The mission is being conducted with support from the Defense Innovation Unit and in partnership with Rocket Lab, which is providing launch services.
The DART AE aircraft is powered by Hypersonix’s hydrogen-fueled SPARTAN scramjet engine, which differs from conventional scramjets that rely on kerosene-based fuels. The company states the hydrogen propulsion system produces zero carbon dioxide emissions and is designed for reuse with reduced maintenance requirements.
Dr. Michael Smart, co-founder of Hypersonix and former Chair of Hypersonic Propulsion at the University of Queensland, described the goal of the flight test. “DART AE allows us to validate propulsion, materials and control systems at speeds and temperatures that simply can’t be replicated on the ground,” he said. “What we learn from this mission will directly inform the next generation of operational hypersonic vehicles.”
Hypersonix Chief Executive Officer Matt Hill said the upcoming launch reflects years of development work conducted with government and industry partners. “This flight reflects years of engineering work and the confidence of our partners at DIU, NASA and Rocket Lab,” Hill said. “It brings us a meaningful step closer to operational hypersonic systems that are reusable, sustainable and strategically relevant for Australia and for our allies.”
Founded in 2019, Hypersonix focuses on autonomous hypersonic aircraft capable of sustained flight at extreme speed, altitude, and range. The Cassowary Vex mission is intended to demonstrate the feasibility of reusable hypersonic platforms operating in the upper atmosphere, where aerodynamic heating and control challenges cannot be fully replicated through ground testing.
Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 2, operated in cooperation with the Virginia Spaceport Authority, serves as a U.S. launch site supporting defense and commercial missions. The collaboration links Australian hypersonic research with U.S.-based launch infrastructure and defense innovation programs.
The flight test comes amid increased international attention on hypersonic technologies, which combine high speed and maneuverability to enable rapid-response aerospace and defense applications. Demonstrating sustained scramjet-powered flight remains a central technical milestone for advancing operational hypersonic systems.
CORRECTION: The title of this story has been corrected to note that the DART AE hypersonic aircraft is set for its first launch and that the mission is scheduled to launch from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2.