Hypersonix lands $46M to build hydrogen-powered hypersonic aircraft
What's the deal? Brisbane-based Hypersonix Launch Systems has raised $46 million in a Series A round led by UK firm High Tor CapitalDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →. SaabDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, RKKVCDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation, and Queensland Investment CorporationDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → also backed the round. The money will fund development of reusable, hydrogen-powered hypersonic aircraft for defence and aerospace missions.
What's the endgame? Founded in 2019, Hypersonix builds flight systems powered by green hydrogen. Its SPARTAN scramjet engine reaches Mach 12, has no moving parts, and eliminates CO2 emissions by burning hydrogen instead of kerosene.
Where the money goes: Part of the raise will fund a NASADealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →-backed test flight of the DART AE vehicle under the US Department of Defense HyCAT program, run via the Defense Innovation Unit. Hypersonix was the first company selected for HyCAT from a pool of more than 60. The rest will build advanced manufacturing facilities in Queensland and develop VISR, an 8m reusable aircraft with four SPARTAN engines.
Why now? The round marks the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation's first investment in the defence sector, aimed at strengthening Australian capability in hypersonic and counter-hypersonic technologies for the country and its allies.
By the numbers: The deal ranks among the largest Series A rounds ever for an Australian hardware company, sitting in the top percentile of 64 comparable raises. Hypersonix employs 45 specialists across engineering, manufacturing, and testing.
What they're saying: Chief executive officer Matt Hill said the funding enables Hypersonix to launch "the world's first hydrogen-powered hypersonic aircraft." Co-founder David Waterhouse called the raise a "pivotal moment" for Australian aerospace development.
The signal: Investor appetite is building for defence hardware that pairs military capability with lower emissions. Hypersonix's bet is that green hydrogen can power faster, more frequent flight — and that governments will pay for sovereign access to it.
Read more: robodaily.com
Image credit: aeroman3
