Rocket Lab has announced an upcoming dedicated mission for the U.S. Department of War’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), further cementing its role in advancing hypersonic test capabilities. Scheduled for late February 2026, the launch will utilize the company's HASTE rocket from its Virginia-based complex. This mission, named “Cassowary Vex,” will deploy a cutting-edge scramjet-powered aircraft, marking a significant collaboration between commercial launch providers and national defense initiatives.
A Strategic Hypersonic Partnership
The mission is set to launch from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 within the Virginia Spaceport Authority’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Wallops Island. It represents a crucial partnership between the DIU and the Australian aerospace firm Hypersonix, the developer of the mission's payload. The launch, aptly nicknamed ‘That’s Not A Knife,” is designed to test and validate advanced hypersonic technologies in a real-world flight environment.
This flight marks Rocket Lab’s fourth hypersonic test mission in less than six months, demonstrating the company's rapid launch cadence and commitment to this critical sector. The HASTE (Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test Electron) rocket provides a vital platform for increasing the tempo of hypersonic testing for the United States and its allies. This capability is essential for accelerating development cycles and maintaining a technological edge in high-speed flight systems.
The Innovative DART AE Vehicle
At the heart of the mission is the DART AE, a reusable, scramjet-powered vehicle engineered by Hypersonix. The aircraft is designed to reach speeds up to Mach 7 and is propelled by a sustainable, hydrogen-fueled engine. Its construction leverages advanced additive manufacturing techniques, positioning Hypersonix as a leader in developing more efficient and environmentally responsible aerospace solutions for defense and research applications.
The DART AE vehicle has a significant flight history preceding this mission, including a planned debut with NASA in 2025 from Alaska. That initial flight is focused on demonstrating the core performance of its scramjet engine and aerodynamic stability. The data gathered from these missions is crucial for refining Hypersonix's technology for a range of future applications, from satellite deployment to reconnaissance.
Bolstering National Defense Capabilities
This launch directly supports a key priority for the Department of War: restoring and expanding the nation’s hypersonic testing capabilities. By leveraging commercial innovation and speed, Rocket Lab helps lower cost barriers and provides unprecedented access to flight test opportunities. This commercial approach is instrumental in accelerating the maturation of technologies vital for national security and maintaining a competitive advantage.
The HASTE system offers testers unparalleled control over specific flight profiles and the ability to simulate extreme environments reaching speeds of up to Mach 20. This commercially operated capability remains unmatched globally, providing a flexible and reliable pathway for validating next-generation defense systems. Ultimately, these missions expand and secure U.S. superiority in the increasingly important domain of hypersonic flight.
In conclusion, the “Cassowary Vex” mission is a powerful demonstration of international and public-private collaboration in the aerospace sector. It brings together Rocket Lab's proven launch services, Hypersonix's pioneering vehicle technology, and the strategic objectives of the Defense Innovation Unit. This upcoming flight is poised to deliver invaluable data, pushing the boundaries of high-speed flight and reinforcing the defense infrastructure of the future.