Supersonic Flight Capabilities Demonstrated by Starfighters Space
Test Flights Carried Advanced Propulsion Systems
A supersonic flight test campaign was recently conducted by Starfighters Space for GE Aerospace. During the campaign, a Starfighters aircraft carried and flew an advanced propulsion test vehicle multiple times at supersonic speeds. This successfully completed campaign highlights Starfighters’ rapidly growing relevance as a publicly listed provider of commercially available flight test services.
“These missions not only validate our business model, but also demonstrate the advanced capabilities of our aircraft.”
Rick Svetkoff, Starfighters Space
As part of GE Aerospace’s Atmospheric Test of Launched Air-breathing System (ATLAS) program, a Starfighters F-104 aircraft was used to conduct three (3) successful supersonic captive carry flights from Kennedy Space Center. During the campaign, the ATLAS flight test vehicle achieved supersonic speeds, supporting the advancement of solid fuel ramjet (SFRJ) propulsion technology.
Starfighters believes its fleet of F-104s is the only such fleet in the free world that can fly test payloads that are mounted underwing at speeds greater than MACH 2, or greater than 1,500 miles per hour.
Led by GE Aerospace, the flights demonstrated Starfighters’ ability to deliver commercially available, rapidly repeatable supersonic flight services in support of customer-funded aerospace and defense development programs.
“For customers developing next-generation propulsion and aerospace systems, access to flight-proven supersonic platforms is essential,” said Rick Svetkoff, CEO of Starfighters Space. “These missions not only validate our business model, but also demonstrate the advanced capabilities of our aircraft, our flight operations team, and our ability to support complex test campaigns through contracted flight services.”
“The Starfighters team provided a reliable, flight-ready supersonic platform that enabled us to conduct multiple captive carry flights in realistic atmospheric conditions,” said Mark Rettig, Vice President and General Manager of Edison Works Business & Technology Development at GE Aerospace. “Commercially operated test aircraft like Starfighters play an important role in accelerating development timelines by allowing repeatable, flexible flight testing outside of traditional range constraints.”
The ATLAS campaign reflects a broader demand environment in which aerospace and defense developers increasingly require faster, more flexible access to flight testing outside of traditional government ranges and long-lead launch schedules. Starfighters’ business model is designed to address this need by providing mission-specific supersonic flight services under customer agreements, rather than pursuing speculative technology development.
Each completed test campaign strengthens the Company’s track record, supports aircraft utilization, and positions Starfighters for follow-on programs, repeat customers, and expanded mission scope across propulsion testing, systems validation, training, and space-adjacent applications.
The ATLAS program is funded by the U.S. Department of Defense under Title III of the Defense Production Act and is intended to advance air-breathing propulsion technologies capable of enhanced speed, range, and responsiveness.