Australian startup Hypersonix secures $46M to develop the world’s first reusable, hydrogen-fueled hypersonic aircraft capable of reaching 12 times the speed of sound.
Australian aerospace firm Hypersonix Launch Systems has raised $46 million to accelerate the development of what could become the world’s first hydrogen-powered hypersonic aircraft, capable of reaching twelve times the speed of sound.
The Series A funding round was led by UK-based High Tor Capital and backed by sovereign and international investors, including the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation (NRFC) and Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC). The investment signals a growing strategic push by Australia to establish leadership in the global hypersonic sector.
Headquartered in Brisbane and founded in 2019, Hypersonix employs 45 specialists working on reusable, sustainable flight systems powered by green hydrogen. The company’s core technology is the SPARTAN scramjet engine—a fully 3D-printed, air-breathing engine with no moving parts. Designed to reach Mach 12, SPARTAN runs on hydrogen, emitting no carbon and enabling rapid reuse at lower cost.
Hypersonix CEO Matt Hill hailed the funding as a breakthrough moment. “This raise marks a major milestone as we prepare to launch the world’s first hydrogen-powered hypersonic aircraft,” he said. Hill emphasized the importance of Australia’s sovereign backing, calling it a strong vote of confidence in the country’s aerospace ambitions.
Read Also: Australia Social Media Ban Under 16 Expands To Reddit
The NRFC contributed $10 million, marking its first defense-sector investment. NRFC CEO David Gall said hypersonics represent a strategic opportunity for Australia, not just in defense but also in advanced manufacturing and clean technology.
Upcoming milestones include the NASA- and Pentagon-backed flight test of DART AE, a 3.5-meter vehicle powered by the SPARTAN engine. Set to launch later this year from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, the mission aims to achieve the first sustained hypersonic flight powered by green hydrogen under a US Department of Defense program.
Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Dr. Michael Smart, a former NASA researcher, said the company is focused on creating practical, clean aerospace systems. “The ability to fly often and affordably is the key to unlocking hypersonics for both defense and commercial use,” he noted.
Hypersonix is also developing VISR, a larger reusable platform for intelligence, surveillance, and payload delivery. The company plans further expansion in the United States and additional investment rounds later this year.
With hypersonic flight emerging as a critical frontier, Hypersonix aims to position Australia at the forefront of clean, high-speed aerospace innovation.