By 2019, Stratolaunch went bankrupt and was declared bankrupt. However, it was bought by an “unknown person” and work in the organization continues. This year, the hypersonic glider Talon-A (“Talon”: for some it may seem “cool”, but that’s how the name is translated), developing Mach 7, was presented. According to the company's engineers, the device will separate from the aircraft playing the role of a launch pad, then turn on its own engine and land independently on a standard runway. It is assumed that subsequent modifications of the “Claw” will be able to take off from it.
Between the huge fuselages the glider is almost invisible. Photo: YouTube.comIt was planned to make the first launch of the glider even before bankruptcy, in 2022. And next year Talon-A should have been put into operation. However, financial troubles have made their own adjustments, and what the test schedule is is still unknown. However, a test reset (without using the engine) already took place in May last year.
What is Talon-A
The device, called a glider, despite the fact that it is equipped with a power unit, has a length of 8,5 m with a wingspan of 3,4 m. The weight of the Talon is 2700 kg. Payload weight – up to 450 kg. The prototype flight lasted 4 hours 8 minutes. This was the eleventh launch of the Scaled Composites Model 351 aircraft (its short name is Roc). Tests confirmed: the glider, which had the TA-0 index, is safely separated from the “launching pad”.
It was not planned to achieve hypersound during the first flight. Photo: YouTube.comHowever, where the device went later was not reported. In December last year and February this year, the company conducted a couple more test flights, during which Roc transported a pair of Talons with fuel. There were no launches. By the way: the giant aircraft is capable of carrying three gliders under its wings at once.
Flight of the next prototype
It took place earlier this month: Scaled Composites “unfastened” Talon-A-1 over the Pacific Ocean (California coast). The glider managed to accelerate to a speed close to Mach five (6 thousand km/h), but could not overcome it. However, the exact data was not officially reported: specific data, including the flight altitude, are shrouded in mystery. The landing, as planned, took place on the water surface of the ocean. In this case, the maneuver was controlled, but, nevertheless, the device was considered disposable.
It is not known at what altitude the Talon separated. Photo: YouTube.comThe airframe is equipped with a Hadley power unit manufactured by Ursa Major. Successful engine testing at Kogta is an undoubted achievement of the manufacturer. According to its representatives, “the goals were achieved”: the installation completed its allotted 200 seconds. The design and production of this unit took almost ten years. However, today the company is actively using additive technology - 3D printing, which allows it to speed up the production of a rocket engine.
The continuation of the work of Stratolaunch LLC after bankruptcy is also associated with the conclusion of a contract with the Navy in the fall of 2023, according to which five test flights of the TA will be carried out. However, it is obvious: the device will also find application in the civilian, including commercial sphere.
The current head of Stratolaunch, Mr. Crevor, said after the successful launch that the flight collected data “valuable to customers.” Hypersonic aircraft, he said, represent a real “revolution” in the military, scientific and commercial fields.
Prospects
Krevor also added that in the near future (most likely this year) another flight of the Talon-A-2 glider will take place. This will be a reusable device that can land on its own. And the head of Stratolaunch said that the TA-3 is under construction and the Talon-Z is being developed, which will reach a speed of ten Machs, which is equal to 10 thousand 620 km/h.
