Aerotech News and Review, May 13, 2022

Aerotech News
Aerotech News
Journal of Aerospace, Defense Industry and Veteran News
and Review
and Review
New pylon debuted for Stratolaunch 5th test flight
by Cathy Hansen
special to Aerotech News
On the calm morning of May 4, also known as Star Wars Day, Strato- launch (Roc), the world’s largest aircraft by wingspan, lifted gracefully from Runway 30 at the Mojave Air and Space Port.
The aircraft flew for 4 hours and 58 minutes over the Mojave Desert and reached an altitude of 22,500 feet.
The fifth flight debuted a new pylon on the aircraft’s center wing that will be used to carry and release Talon-A hypersonic vehicles. The hard- ware is comprised of a mini-wing and adapter that is constructed with aluminum and carbon fiber skins.
According to a press release by Stratolaunch, the pylon weighs ap- proximately 8,000 pounds and occupies 14-feet of Roc’s 95-foot center wingspan, allowing for adequate space between the aircraft’s dual fuse- lages for safe vehicle release and launch.
The pylon also has incorporated a winch system to lift the Talon-A onto the pylon from the ground. This will expedite the launch preparation and moderate the need for extra ground support personnel.
Launched from the Roc carrier aircraft, Talon-A vehicles are rocket- powered, autonomous, reusable test-beds carrying customizable payloads at speeds above Mach 5. This capability enables routine access to the hypersonic flight environment, which is critical for scientific research, technological development, and component demonstration.
The Talon-A can be fitted out with different payloads and is fully re- usable, designed to enable swift, repeatable testing of hypersonic flight technologies for all manner of applications.
See STRATOLAUNCH, Page 2
May 13, 2022 • Volume 37, Issue 9 Serving the aerospace industry since 1986 www.aerotechnews.com www.facebook.com/aerotechnews
Photographs by Jim Mumaw
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