Ravn X
An 80-foot, roughly 55,000-pound autonomous aircraft designed to take off from a runway, climb, and drop a rocket that carries a small satellite to orbit. Between launches it is pitched as a cargo and test aircraft.
Why it matters
Air launch frees a rocket from a fixed launch pad, so a satellite could go up from many airports on short notice. Aevum's twist is removing the pilot. No Ravn X flight or orbital launch has been reported, and outside trackers had doubted the hardware existed until it appeared at Long Beach in 2026.
How the technology works
Ravn X acts as a reusable first stage and mobile launch pad. It carries ERV-A, an expendable liquid-fueled rocket that Aevum lists at up to 600 kg to low Earth orbit with a nominal 180-minute call-up time, and Aevum also lists a reusable RRV-A.
In September 2026 the aircraft was taxi-testing its autonomy, steering and electric braking systems on development landing gear.
Sources
Updated Oct 22, 2026 · How we source facts · Suggest a correction