A Brisbane-based company developing reusable hydrogen-powered hypersonic aircraft has achieved a major milestone by securing $46 million in Series A funding, marking a significant step in Australia’s aerospace journey. The investment marks a turning point for the nation’s ambition to lead in sustainable hypersonic aircraft technology.
A Powerful Boost for Australia’s Hypersonic Aircraft Ambitions
Both local and international investors showed strong interest in the funding round. The National Reconstruction Fund Corporation (NRFC) and the Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) supported it, along with leading aerospace and defence investors from around the world. A UK-based national security investor led the round, and European and Polish defence groups also participated.
The Brisbane startup employs about 45 skilled professionals in aerospace engineering, advanced manufacturing, and testing. With this new capital, the company aims to strengthen its development of cutting-edge hypersonic aircraft capable of flying at speeds five times faster than sound.
The NRFC’s involvement is especially significant. It contributed $10 million in equity, marking its first-ever investment in the defence sector. The move signals strong support for local companies developing technologies that enhance Australia’s sovereign capabilities while meeting the growing global demand for hypersonic aircraft and counter-hypersonic systems.
The QIC also expressed confidence in the company’s mission, highlighting that the breakthrough technology gives Australia and its allies the ability to fly faster, further, and more efficiently using hydrogen fuel. This technology combines high performance with sustainability and cost-effectiveness — a rare advantage in modern aerospace development.
The Rise of Reusable Hydrogen-Powered Hypersonic Aircraft
Two main platforms — DART AE and VISR — powered by the SPARTAN engine, drive the company’s progress. The 3.5-metre-long DART AE hypersonic aircraft supports high-speed testing and research. It runs on green hydrogen, producing only water vapour instead of carbon emissions, making it an eco-friendly option for high-speed flight.
The company is also developing VISR, a more advanced 8-metre-long platform designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. It will also perform rapid payload delivery and space system testing. Engineers have equipped the aircraft with four SPARTAN engines and advanced ceramic materials to withstand the extreme heat of hypersonic travel.
The company aims to create hypersonic aircraft that are both fast and reusable. Unlike traditional single-use, high-cost hypersonic systems, these hydrogen-fuelled models can complete multiple missions, cutting overall costs and reducing environmental impact.
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The company’s mission aligns closely with both national defence interests and international aerospace innovation. Its hydrogen-based propulsion technology offers a cleaner and more efficient alternative to conventional rocket systems. By combining reusability and sustainability, it aims to set a new global standard for hypersonic aircraft and space access platforms.
This focus on green propulsion also supports a broader shift across the aerospace industry, where clean energy and reusable systems are becoming key priorities. With the world’s increasing attention on reducing emissions, hydrogen-powered flight is seen as a promising pathway for the future of aviation and space access.
NASA and Pentagon-Backed Flight Tests Underway
The recent funding will support an upcoming test flight with NASA and the U.S. Department of Defense. The DART AE hypersonic aircraft will fly under the Pentagon’s HyCAT program, led by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), which speeds up the use of advanced commercial technologies in military missions.
DART AE will launch from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, showcasing the world’s first sustained hypersonic aircraft flight powered entirely by green hydrogen. Selected as the first prototype under HyCAT from over 60 applicants, the company’s success highlights Australia’s growing role in global aerospace innovation.
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Part of the funds will go toward expanding advanced manufacturing in Queensland, including new facilities to produce key components for the company’s hypersonic aircraft. This move strengthens local industry and creates new high-tech jobs.
The investment signals strong confidence in Australia’s aerospace capability and commitment to clean, reusable, and high-speed systems. With NASA-backed test flights ahead, the Brisbane-based company stands among the world’s leading developers of hypersonic aircraft technology.
