Dart AE Hypersonic Jet
Australian firm Hypersonix Launch Systems' Dart AE hypersonic demonstrator will take to the air next summer as part of the US Department of Defense's Hypersonic and High-Cadence Airborne Testing Capabilities program, with the goal of producing a reusable, low-cost hypersonic test vehicle. Measuring 9.8 feet long and weighing 660 pounds, the 3D-printed unmanned test plane is aiming for Mach 7 — 5,371 MPH at ground level. The Dart AE will be powered by a hydrogen scramjet that Hypersonix says is capable of Mach 12, with a range of 620 miles.