DART AE
A small, low-cost hypersonic test vehicle powered by a hydrogen scramjet. Its first flight in February 2026 went above Mach 5.
Why it matters
Hypersonic flight data is hard to get on the ground. A cheap vehicle that can fly often lets defense and research users test sensors, materials and guidance at real speeds.
How the technology works
A rocket boosts DART AE to hypersonic speed, where its 3D-printed SPARTAN scramjet, which has no moving parts, breathes air and burns hydrogen. The vehicle flies an autonomous trajectory while recording propulsion, material and control data.
Sources
Updated Oct 22, 2026 · How we source facts · Suggest a correction