HYPERSONIX
Decades of persistence are finally paying off. Australia finds itself ideally positioned to steal the march in the rapidly emerging field of hypersonic flight. But only if it seizes the moment.
Hypersonic flight's been on the wishlist of countries around the world for decades. Now, the US Department of Defense (DOD), has selected Australia-based aerospace industry startup Hypersonix to develop a high-speed aircraft to test extreme technologies operating at the edge of our understanding.
The DOD's decision is no accident. Australian researchers at the University of Queensland, Australian National University and Defence Science and Technology Group have weathered 40 years of election campaigns, defence strategic reviews, university funding grants and international head-hunting to continue making technological progress.
Converging developments in materials science, computing, 3D printing, and aero dynamics mean those years of theory can now be turned into reality. Given recent developments, including the AUKUS technology sharing agreement with the US and UK, that research and development have become incredibly valuable – and an opportunity for Hypersonix.
The company was founded in 2019 with the goal of developing a reusable aircraft capable of flying off an airfield, delivering a satellite to lowEarth orbit, returning, refuelling – and loading up to do the job once again.
In March, its revolutionary DART AE vehicle, powered by a single SPARTAN (Scramjet Powered Accelerator for Reusable Technology
Advancement) engine, caught the eye of the US Defense Innovation
