Australian aerospace companies Gilmour Space Technologies and Hypersonix Launch Systems have signed an agreement to jointly develop hypersonic flight-test capability for defence and commercial programs in Australia and overseas. The collaboration was announced on 8 September 2026 in Canberra during an NRF Connect event at Parliament House. It pairs Gilmour Space’s rocket propulsion, launch, mission integration and flight-test capabilities with Hypersonix’s scramjet propulsion and hypersonic vehicle technology.
Addressing a Growing Need for Hypersonic Testing
Hypersonic flight generally refers to speeds of Mach 5 and above, or at least five times the speed of sound. Demand for hypersonic testing is being driven by the development of systems and enabling technologies including advanced sensors, communications, guidance systems and high-temperature materials. The agreement is intended to give customers more options to develop, test and demonstrate advanced technologies at a greater frequency.
Leadership Perspectives
Gilmour Space co-founder and CEO Adam Gilmour said Australia is developing serious expertise in rockets, scramjets and hypersonic flight. He added that the next step is connecting those technologies and giving them a pathway through demonstration and into use. Gilmour also said the companies can support a broader range of applications while building sovereign capability that makes Australia a stronger and more valuable partner.
Meeting Defence and Allied Requirements
Hypersonix CEO Matt Hill said defence customers need more frequent, responsive and accessible ways to test technologies in representative hypersonic conditions. He explained that working with Gilmour Space will help meet this need at pace and scale while exploring new solutions for Australian and allied programs, including under AUKUS Pillar II. Hill described Gilmour Space’s expertise as crucial to strengthening Australia’s sovereign hypersonic capability.
Building on Existing Hypersonic Plans
The announcement follows Gilmour Space’s earlier plans to test its Hyperflight hypersonic vehicle from the Bowen launch site in North Queensland. The company had previously targeted the second quarter of 2026, but that timeline has moved to no earlier than the fourth quarter while government approvals remain pending. This agreement signals a continued push to expand Australia’s hypersonic test infrastructure despite regulatory timelines.
Sovereign Capability and National Backing
Both companies are portfolio companies of the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation, which supports sovereign industrial capability in Australia. The partnership was announced during an NRF Connect event at Parliament House in Canberra. Together, the companies aim to strengthen Australia’s sovereign industrial base by retaining critical intellectual property, skills, infrastructure and advanced manufacturing capacity in Australia.
Company Profiles
Gilmour Space Technologies is an Australian-owned company that develops and manufactures launch vehicles, satellites and high-speed flight-test services. Headquartered on the Gold Coast, it also owns and operates Bowen Orbital Spaceport in North Queensland. Hypersonix Launch Systems specialises in hypersonic technology and scramjet engines, designing and building autonomous hypersonic aircraft that deliver sustained flight at extreme speed, range and altitude.
The agreement between Gilmour Space and Hypersonix represents an important step toward a more integrated Australian hypersonic flight-test capability. It is designed to serve national defence priorities as well as commercial customers seeking reliable access to high-speed testing. By combining launch and scramjet expertise, the two companies aim to position Australia as a stronger and more valuable partner in allied technology development.