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Rocket Lab's HASTE to carry Hypersonix DART AE scramjet on DIU hypersonic test; Feb. 25 launch scrubbed

Rocket Lab's HASTE was set to carry Hypersonix's 3.5‑metre DART AE, a scramjet‑powered autonomous hypersonic demonstrator, on a suborbital DIU‑backed test. The flight — the fourth hypersonic mission in under six months — was targeted for Feb. 25 but was scrubbed prior to liftoff.

Discovered 2026-02-24T16:06:29.462164-08:00 | 2026-02-24T16:06:29.462164-08:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

  • The flight validates Hypersonix's 3.5‑metre DART AE scramjet demonstrator and integration approach for autonomous hypersonic vehicles; the mission is the fourth hypersonic test in under six months and used a dedicated suborbital HASTE deployment.

  • It highlights Rocket Lab's role as a rapid-access provider for defense hypersonic testing and the operational value of small‑launcher suborbital flights as the company increases cadence (see Rocket Lab's rising launch cadence) [source:28500bdf-4ed4-40cd-9190-958cc3ac14be].

  • The mission is part of a broader U.S. push to accelerate hypersonic prototyping and fielding of high‑speed strike capabilities, reinforcing momentum in government and industry hypersonics work [source:2f5113bc-82c3-482e-b96b-35c508c78e59].

Reported By

Defense Scoop SpaceWatch Global airforce-technology.com fly-news.es Air Data News AeroTime
Sources Tracked
14
First Seen
2026-02-24T16:06:29.462164-08:00
Latest Update
2026-03-03T18:22:19.861136-08:00
Coverage
Defense

Sources

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