Hypersonix Launch Systems Ltd. and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. have signed an agreement to launch the DART AE multi-mission hypersonic drone technology demonstrator. In the Hypersonix Kratos Team's (the “Team”) submission to the Australian Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI) Grants Program 2, the Team is planning for a launch and initial demonstration flight of the DART AE Hypersonic Drone System in 2023. The Hypersonix DART AE, a multi-mission, hypersonic drone, will be fully 3D-printed out of exquisite high-temperature materials and powered by a single, fifth-generation SPARTAN, zero emission, clean hydrogen scramjet engine with a publicly disclosable range of 500km.

Kratos brings to the team and proposed effort its extensive digital engineering capabilities and sounding rocket booster integration and launch experience. The Kratos booster system will accelerate the DART AE drone to a speed greater than Mach 5 and release the vehicle, ignition of the Drone scramjet engine will occur, and autonomous flight of DART AE will proceed along a programmed flight path to a predetermined landing location. Hypersonix Launch Systems is an Australian Aerospace Engineering company, specialising in the design and build of scramjet engines and hypersonic vehicles.

Their SPARTAN scramjet engine is hydrogen fueled and designed to operate between Mach 5 and 12 in support of multiple missions. Kratos' extensive involvement in past hypersonic experimental flight test programs demonstrates their ability to launch a variety of hypersonic vehicles and makes them a unique and highly qualified partner and teammate for Hypersonix, as the launch provider for the first DART AE flight in 2023.