Rocket Lab USA, Inc. today announced it has been selected to provide hypersonic test launch capability with its HASTE launch vehicle, engineering expertise, and other services through its participation in two multi-billion dollar government development programs for the United States and the United Kingdom.Rocket Lab has been selected by the U.S. Air Force to participate within its Enterprise-Wide Agile Acquisition Contract (EWAAC), a $46 billion indefinite delivery-indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract designed for the rapid acquisition of innovative technologies, engineering services, and technical solutions that develop the Air Force’s new capabilities. The program has a contracting period through to 2031 and is designed to be broad in scope, flexible in funding, and agile for maximum use to enable the Air Force to quickly procure services and technologies across various domains.Further, Rocket Lab has also been selected by the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence (UK MOD) for its Hypersonic Technologies & Capability Development Framework (HTCDF), a ~$1.3 billion (£1 billion) framework to rapidly develop advanced hypersonic capabilities for the United Kingdom. As a newly-selected supplier to the HTCDF, Rocket Lab is now eligible to bid to provide services, technologies, and testing capabilities that support the UK’s development of sovereign hypersonic technology.Across both programs, Rocket Lab intends to bid for contracts and task orders served by its Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test Electron (HASTE) launch vehicle, as well as other engineering, design, and launch services. A suborbital variant of Electron - the world’s most frequently launched small orbital rocket - HASTE includes much of the same innovative technology as Electron, including carbon fiber composite structures and 3D printed rocket engines, but has a modified upper Kick Stage tailored for hypersonic technology tests and a larger payload capacity of up to 700 kg / 1,540 lbs. HASTE can deploy technologies at speeds of more than 7.5km per second to test air-breathing, glide, and ballistic payloads, as well as technologies to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere from space. Successful missions to date include three launches for the U.S. Department of Defense – including twice within just 21 days – from Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 2 launch site located on Wallops Island, Virginia. Combined, Rocket Lab’s HASTE and Electron launch vehicles have deployed 200+ payloads from its United States and New Zealand launch sites to date.Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck, says: “The ability to contribute toward the collective security of the United States and the United Kingdom across both of these important programs is a proud moment for the HASTE team, and a demonstration of Rocket Lab’s commitment to lead from the front when it comes to innovative and unique solutions for hypersonic technology development. Keeping pace with global developments means more affordable tests at a higher rate that expands the boundaries of hypersonic technology - and that’s a capability we’re already providing all in one platform with HASTE, at a commercial price and cadence that serves the mission of both nations.”
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. today announced it has been selected by Kratos to launch a full-scale hypersonic test flight for the Department of Defense (DOD) under the Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonic Test Bed (MACH-TB) 2.0 program. The mission will launch on Rocket Lab’s HASTE rocket from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 on Wallops Island, Virginia no earlier than Q1, 2026.The launch agreement is the first full-scale flight test to be awarded by Kratos under the MACH-TB 2.0 contract, a $1.45 billion program designed to rapidly expand the number and frequency of opportunities to test hypersonic technologies for the nation. Rocket Lab was selected to join the Kratos-led team of subcontractors for MACH-TB 2.0 in January this year after previously delivering multiple successful hypersonic test launches for the first iteration of the MACH-TB program from 2023. Successful missions to date include three launches for the DOD – including twice within just 21 days – from Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 2 in Virginia.
Awarded a new HASTE launch contract by Kratos for the Department of Defense’s MACH-TB 2.0 program. The mission will launch from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 in Virginia no earlier than Q1 2026 and is the first full-scale flight test awarded by Kratos under the $1.45 billion MACH-TB 2.0 program.Selected for two multi-billion dollar United States and United Kingdom government programsthat make Rocket Lab’s HASTE launch vehicle eligible to compete for hypersonic flight tests. The two programs are the U.S. Air Force’s Enterprise-Wide Agile Acquisition Contract (“EWAAC”), a $46 billion program to develop new military capabilities; and the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence’s (“UK MOD”) Hypersonic Technologies & Capability Development Framework (“HTCDF”), a ~$1.3 billion (£1 billion) framework to rapidly develop advanced hypersonic capabilities for the allied nation. Selection to the UK MOD’s program marks the first time Rocket Lab’s HASTE launch services are now available to the United Kingdom.
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. seeks authority to support communications associated with testing, operation, and mission assurance of the launch vehicle and mission described in the attached narrative.Operation Start Date: 09/01/2025Operation End Date: 03/01/2026
Description of the circumstances giving rise to the submission.Rocket Lab develops and deploys cutting-edge rocket systems and equipment. Previous Rocket Lab launches have delivered satellites into low Earth orbit. In the current experimental application, Rocket Lab seeks communications authority necessary to support an experimental mission involving suborbital flight. A suborbital mission has previously been authorized by the FCC.[...]Information about Rocket Lab’s flight plan, the payload to be carried on the Electron rocket, and arrangements with Rocket Lab’s client could have national security implications if made public.
