Australia’s reusable hypersonic engine program could have ramifications well beyond the military sector.
Australia continues breaking new ground with its hypersonic weapons program. This time, Hypersonix Launch Systems (HLS), an Australian aerospace startup out of Brisbane has raised what’s known as a “Series A” funding round of about USD $46 million.
The investment is backed by a mix of domestic and international investors including Australia’s National Reconstruction Fund Corporation (NRFC). They are participating with around a $10 million equity stake. To prove how important hypersonic weapons are to Australia, this is the NRFC’s first defense-sector investment.
Understanding HLS’ Hypersonic Engine Program
Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) via its venture arm, the United Kingdom-based security investor High Tor Capital, as well as other European defense players, like Saab, are all investing in HLS’ new hypersonic weapons platform.
These funds will support HLS’ development of hydrogen-fueled hypersonic aircraft with scramjet propulsion systems. Especially HLS’ “SPARTAN” scramjet engine, along with demonstrator vehicles (like “DART AE” and “VISR”) as part of the firm’s (and Australia’s) defense, space, and launch ambitions.
Co-founded by former NASA research scientist and former Chair of Hypersonic Propulsion at University of Queensland, Dr. Michael Smart, HLS was created in 2019. The key technology is the “SPARTAN” scramjet engine, a 3D-printed high temperature alloy/ceramic matrix composite engine. The air-breathing scramjet uses hydrogen as fuel, rather than conventional kerosene or other hydrocarbons, as burning hydrogen produces only water vapor as exhaust.
What’s more, the system is capable of very high Mach number speeds—with a target of up to Mach 12 (or higher) for HLS platforms. And HLS platforms are entirely reusable. This is a significant development because many hypersonic systems are single-use, making them very expensive per-flight.
Hypersonic Development Is Good Business for Australia
Other vehicles in HLS’ impressive arsenal include the three-point-five-meter DART AE test vehicle powered by the SPARTAN. It will be launched by the US military’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) “HyCAT” program and from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. There’s also the VISR, an eight-meter hydrogen-fueled hypersonic aircraft that is unmanned and used for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, rapid delivery, and even space system testing.
In Queensland, Australia, at the Carole Park Facility, HLS builds its advanced systems. Over the next three years, there is funding earmarked to expand capability and jobs in Queensland.
For Australia, the investment signals building up domestic aerospace sovereignty (design, manufacture, export) rather than relying entirely on other countries. The NRFC participating reinforces this.
The fact that this involves the United States, United Kingdom, and Europeans means HLS is part of a global hypersonic and space ecosystem, not just a local entity. More importantly, HLS’ vision is not only one of military operations. HLS envisions using rapid response, launch to orbit, reusable vehicles to compete in the commercial space launch sector. They want to also innovate their systems for high-speed civilian atmospheric transport.
Hypersonic weapons and aircraft have become all the rage. There are today multiple American, Chinese, and European companies rapidly developing these capabilities. The Australians being in the crosshairs of China’s growing regional ire understandably want to create systems that would be best suited for defending their increasingly threatened homeland. Therefore, HLS is but a very important start of a much longer process of building—and scaling—up an Australian hypersonic weapons capability.
About the Author: Brandon J. Weichert
Brandon J. Weichert is a senior national security editor at The National Interest. Recently, Weichert became the host of The National Security Hour on America Outloud News and iHeartRadio, where he discusses national security policy every Wednesday at 8pm Eastern. He is also a contributor at Popular Mechanics and has consulted regularly with various government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues. Weichert’s writings have appeared in multiple publications, including The Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, and the Asia Times. His books include Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His newest book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine is available for purchase wherever books are sold. He can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.
Image: Shutterstock / Anelo.
