Munich, February 11 – A Munich-based startup, Hypersonica, has successfully conducted the first test flight of a European hypersonic missile. The prototype, named HS1, launched from the Andøya Spaceport in Norway on February 3rd, achieving a speed of Mach 6. The company, with headquarters in Munich and a subsidiary in London, aims for the missile to be ready for series production by 2029.
Hypersonica’s Secretive Test Surprises Industry
Unlike ballistic missiles, which follow a parabolic trajectory, hypersonic missiles fly at speeds of Mach 5 or more. Their ability to fly at a flatter angle, maneuver, and maintain an unpredictable flight path makes them significantly harder to intercept. Currently, only a few nations, including China, Russia, and the USA, possess hypersonic missile technology. Russia has reportedly deployed hypersonic missiles in the conflict in Ukraine.
The test flight by Hypersonica, which took place earlier this month, came as a surprise to many in the defense and aerospace industries. The HS1 missile is several meters long and weighs over a ton, though the company has not yet disclosed further technical specifications.
Maneuverability: The Core Technical Challenge
Hypersonic technology itself is not new, with its roots tracing back to the 1930s. However, modern hypersonic missiles are designed to be steerable. Philipp Kerth, CEO and co-founder of Hypersonica, stated, “The engine is not so much the problem; the technical challenge lies in flying at hypersonic speeds while maneuvering with high precision.”
The primary goal of the test flight was to gather as much data as possible. Kerth emphasized, “We are the first company in Europe to conduct a privately funded hypersonic test flight.” He added that hypersonic research in Europe has been neglected for over 30 years. “Europe doesn’t have 20 years, and we don’t have 20 billion.”
Hypersonica developed the HS1 from concept to test flight in just nine months, drawing inspiration from Elon Musk’s SpaceX, which demonstrated that rocket development times could be significantly accelerated.
European Perspective on Hypersonic Technology
This development comes as Europe seeks greater independence in critical technologies, including defense and space. The successful test by Hypersonica highlights a growing push within the continent to catch up in advanced defense capabilities.
Further details on the HS1 and Hypersonica’s future plans are anticipated as the company moves towards its 2029 target for series production.
Source: https://www.br.de/nachrichten/bayern/hyperschallrakete-von-muenchner-start-up-in-norwegen-getestet,VAoAav9
