Queensland aerospace companies Gilmour Space Technologies and Hypersonix have signed an agreement aimed at advancing Australia’s hypersonic manufacturing and flight-test capabilities for defence and commercial programs.
In a news release, Gilmour Space said the partnership will combine Gilmour Space’s capabilities in rocket propulsion, launch, mission integration and flight testing with Hypersonix’s scramjet propulsion and hypersonic vehicle technologies.
Hypersonic flight generally refers to speeds of Mach 5 and above. According to the companies, demand for hypersonic testing is increasing alongside the development of technologies such as advanced sensors, communications, guidance systems and high-temperature materials.
Gilmour Space co-founder and CEO Adam Gilmour said the agreement would provide customers with more options to develop and test advanced technologies.
“Australia is developing serious expertise in rockets, scramjets and hypersonic flight. The next step is connecting those technologies and giving them a pathway through demonstration and into use,” he said.
The companies said the partnership would also seek to strengthen Australia’s sovereign industrial base by retaining critical intellectual property, skills, infrastructure and advanced manufacturing capacity domestically.
Hypersonix CEO Matt Hill said the arrangement could help address demand for more accessible hypersonic testing.
“Defence customers need more frequent, responsive and accessible ways to test technologies in representative hypersonic conditions,” Hill said.
He said working with Gilmour Space could support the development of solutions for Australian and allied programs, including those associated with AUKUS Pillar II.
“On this basis, we see Gilmour Space’s expertise as crucial to strengthening Australia’s sovereign hypersonic capability,” Hill said.
Gilmour Space and Hypersonix are both portfolio companies of the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation. The partnership was announced during an NRF Connect event at Parliament House in Canberra on 8 September.
