In the heart of next summer, skies will bear witness to an unprecedented spectacle—a vessel poised to unleash the sheer velocity of Mach 7, as it rides the edge of the U.S. Department of Defense’s Hypersonic and High-Cadence Airborne Testing Capabilities (HyCAT) program. This venture, under the vigilant auspices of the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), is not just a show of might; it is a beacon for commercial companies, nurturing innovations in reusable, cost-efficient, hypersonic test vehicles destined for future aerospace and defense alchemy.
The DART AE: A Soaring Sentinel of Speed
Crafted by the visionary Australian firm Hypersonix Launch Systems, the DART AE stands ready to carve the zephyrs as a 9.8-foot-long marvel of engineering, weighing a mere 660 pounds. This demonstrator, announced by C4ISRNET, is a herald of the HyCAT program’s intrepid pursuit—the first to grace the stratosphere’s stage next summer with Mach 7 under its belt.
Unveiling the Vanguard: Mach 7 Flight on the Horizon
The DART AE’s inaugural autonomous voyage next summer is an event of considerable anticipation. Its trajectory is a collaborative vision, steered by Lt. Col. Nicholas Estep, HyCAT’s program manager, who, alongside Hypersonix, is finessing the odyssey’s every detail—the conditions, the launch, and the locale. “We aim to grasp the mission’s essence from inception to culmination,” Estep confided to C4ISRNET.
Hypersonix and the Art of Mach 7
Extolled among three companies honored with HyCAT contracts—with a fourth on the near horizon—Hypersonix boasts the distinction of crafting the first fully 3-D printed hypersonic airframe. The DART AE promises to surge over 620 miles at breathtaking velocities, thanks to its innovative Spartan Engine, powered by the clean, potent force of green hydrogen.
Forging a Hypersonic Heritage
The Department of Defense’s dedication to mastering hypersonic dominion is profound, with an arsenal of some 70 programs dedicated to the craft and weaponry capable of redefining aircraft maneuverability at these blistering speeds. The Spartan propulsion by Hypersonix aims even beyond, targeting astronomical speeds of Mach 12.
A Future Cast in Hypersonic Innovation
With the DIU’s Barry Kirkendall at the helm as technical director for space, the horizon teems with potential. DIU’s ethos is clear—a quest for a versatile, low-cost hypersonic platform that offers a more intimate understanding of the realm of hypersonic flight. And with programs such as HyCAT2 on the horizon to integrate payloads and pioneering technologies, the initiative sails toward a future where the sky is no mere limit—it’s a canvas, ripe for revolution.
