After clearing a major round of structural stress tests, Australia’s fully 3D-printed hypersonic airframe has proven it can handle the extreme forces of high-speed flight, moving it closer to its first Mach 7 test.
Developed by Hypersonix Launch Systems, the DART AE demonstrator is a single-use platform powered by the company’s Spartan hydrogen-fueled scramjet engine designed to boost thrust while reducing emissions.
Measuring 3 meters (9.8 feet) long and weighing about 300 kilograms (661 pounds), the demonstrator is capable of flying pre-planned routes autonomously within a 1,000-kilometer (621-mile) range.
Read the full story on NextGen Defense: 3D-Printed Hypersonic Airframe Clears Major Vibration Tests in Australia