Stratolaunch Bolsters Hypersonic Testing Capacity with Boeing 777 Acquisition

Stratolaunch is expanding its hypersonic flight-test infrastructure by adding a Boeing 777-200ER to its fleet. The acquisition, announced on September 30th, will increase Stratolaunch's capacity to conduct hypersonic flight tests for government and commercial customers by 35%. This new aircraft will be modified to carry and air-launch Stratolaunch's Talon-A hypersonic test vehicles from its fuselage.

The modifications are expected to be completed in 2027. The company has yet to identify the exact age or previous history of the acquired airframe. The Boeing 777-200ER joins two existing carrier aircraft, a Scaled Composites Model 351 and a former Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747-400.

Stratolaunch's hypersonic testing system uses an air-launch approach, which provides greater range, flexible deployment locations, and lower mission costs compared to traditional ground-launch systems. This method also allows customers to conduct flight tests that more closely represent real-world operating conditions.