Arianegroup announced a large sounding rocket named "SyLEX" (SYstème de Lancement d’EXpériences, Experiments Launch System) at the Paris air show.Earlier this year, an Arianegroup trade union mentioned that the qualification rocket had been assembled and that a qualification flight would happen as soon as Q1, it seemingly hasn't happened yet but this fits with the report of the rocket being in final development phase, and the test flight may still be expected for this year.The specs are classified but it can be expected to have performances comparable or higher to the Terrier-oriole-oriole that launched the first V-Max demonstrator in 2023, and with the stated goal of high-hypersonic research, it is likely a few tons heavy.
On November 28, 2025, ArianeGroup carried out the first launch of a new sounding rocket flight test system called SyLEx (Système de Lancement d’Expériences, or Experiment Launch System) operated by the French Defence Procurement and Technology Agency’s Missile Testing Centre in Biscarrosse (DGA EM). This successful launch validates the single-stage version of the new system and its dedicated launch pad. Developed in under three years on behalf of DGA, SyLEx introduces for the first time in France a sovereign suborbital launch capability. For this first flight, SyLEx carried an ArianeGroup experimental payload, a platform for technological integration and demonstration. SyLEx is designed to support a wide range of missions, including atmospheric re-entry and microgravity experiments. It targets both civilian and military applications on the European market. This new product consists of two sounding rocket models, a single-stage and a two-stage version, completed by a dedicated launch pad. With a payload capacity up to 600kg, the new launch system will be capable of reaching altitudes between 200 and 400 kilometres. Depending on the payload and mission configuration, the SyLEx sounding rocket can accommodate multiple experiments in a single flight.“This successful first flight secures sovereign testing capabilities for France using sounding rockets. SyLEx has been designed and built by ArianeGroup teams in under three years, based on test-and-learn methods. Thus, DGA’s renewed confidence in ArianeGroup’s expertise enables France’s autonomy and sovereignty in suborbital launch capabilities. We are already advancing to the next phase of our incremental roadmap: the two-stage version.”Vincent Pery Director of Defence Programmes at ArianeGroup
CAS Space, LSP of the lijian 1/2 orbital launchers is making a large (7t) solid-propelled sounding rocket with recoverable capsule, it will commercialise it as well as use it to help develop the Lihong 2 "new-shepard-like" rocket. 1st launch was planned from Jiuquan in July as of last March.
...Succesful qualification flight of SyLEx (single stage configuration) from Biscarosse today: https://ariane.group/en/news/successfull-frst-launch-of-the-new-sounding-rocket-sylex/...
Kratos Issues Letter of Intent for 60 Full Rate Production Zeus Hypersonic System Rocket Motors from L3HarrisSAN DIEGO, Dec. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTOS), a leader in defense, national security and global markets, announced today that it has issued a letter of intent to L3Harris Technologies (LHX: NYSE) for an order of 40 Zeus 1 and 20 Zeus 2 hypersonic motors. The large Zeus SRM acquisition by Kratos is representative of the existing under contract, expected future hypersonic and other system launch manifest(s), as Kratos continues to execute its longstanding strategy of making internally funded investments to move fast, and be first to market with affordable, relevant systems for U.S. National Security....This order further demonstrates Kratos’ steadfast commitment to supporting the Department of War customer by investing in systems and inventory. This investment, along with Kratos’ recent order for 60 22-inch diameter Oriole solid rocket motors, is ensuring that rapid and relevant flight test platforms are available as needed to accelerate hypersonic research and deliver capability to our warfighters.
