Fully reusable autonomous hypersonic vehicle launched from modified Boeing 747. Reaches Mach 5+ and lands on runway for reuse, carrying classified payloads for military research.
10+ successful hypersonic flights as of July 2026. Boeing 777 acquisition underway for 2027 integration.
Updated 21 Jul 2026Checked 10 Oct0 updates this week
Released from Boeing 747 at high altitude, saving ~70% of fuel a ground rocket burns climbing through the atmosphere.
An on-board rocket engine accelerates the vehicle to hypersonic speeds, carrying it through the regime where conventional jets cannot operate.
After data collection, the vehicle autonomously descends and lands on a runway like an airplane, requiring only inspection and refueling for the next flight.
| Spec | Talon-A |
|---|---|
| Maximum speed | Mach 5–7R (reported) |
| Vehicle length | 8.5 mR (reported) |
| Wingspan | 3.4 mR (reported) |
| Launch mass | 2,700 kgR (reported) |
| Successful flights to date | 10+R (reported) |
R reported by the company
Stratolaunch
Air-launch hypersonic testing, Talon-A reusable
Stratolaunch operates the world's largest aircraft to air-launch hypersonic vehicles for defense research. Founded 2011 by Paul Allen and Burt Rutan, acquired by Cerberus in 2019, with 10+ Talon-A flights by July 2026.