Starfighters Space Demonstrates Commercial Supersonic Flight Capabilities Through GE's Aerospace Test Program
Recent supersonic test flights carrying advanced propulsion systems validate Starfighters' role as a commercial flight services platform for aerospace and defense customers
Starfighters Space, Inc. ("Starfighters" or the "Company") (NYSE:FJET), the innovative aerospace company, owner and operator of the world's largest fleet of commercial supersonic aircraft, announced today that it recently completed a successful supersonic flight test campaign for GE Aerospace, in which a Starfighters aircraft carried and flew an advanced propulsion test vehicle multiple times at supersonic speeds. This successfully completed campaign highlights Starfighters' rapidly growing relevance as a publicly listed provider of commercially available flight test services.
As part of GE Aerospace's Atmospheric Test of Launched Air-breathing System (ATLAS) program, a Starfighters F-104 aircraft was used to conduct three (3) successful supersonic captive carry flights from Kennedy Space Center. During the campaign, the ATLAS flight test vehicle achieved supersonic speeds, supporting the advancement of solid fuel ramjet (SFRJ) propulsion technology.
Starfighters believes its fleet of F-104s is the only such fleet in the free world that can fly test payloads that are mounted underwing at speeds greater than MACH 2, or greater than 1,500 miles per hour.
Led by GE Aerospace, the flights demonstrated Starfighters' ability to deliver commercially available, rapidly repeatable supersonic flight services in support of customer-funded aerospace and defense development programs.
"For customers developing next-generation propulsion and aerospace systems, access to flight-proven supersonic platforms is essential," said Rick Svetkoff, CEO of Starfighters Space. "These missions not only validate our business model, but also demonstrate the advanced capabilities of our aircraft, our flight operations team, and our ability to support complex test campaigns through contracted flight services."
"The Starfighters team provided a reliable, flight-ready supersonic platform that enabled us to conduct multiple captive carry flights in realistic atmospheric conditions," said Mark Rettig, Vice President and General Manager of Edison Works Business & Technology Development at GE Aerospace. "Commercially operated test aircraft like Starfighters play an important role in accelerating development timelines by allowing repeatable, flexible flight testing outside of traditional range constraints."
Commercial Relevance and Path to Revenue
The ATLAS campaign reflects a broader demand environment in which aerospace and defense developers increasingly require faster, more flexible access to flight testing outside of traditional government ranges and long-lead launch schedules. Starfighters' business model is designed to address this need by providing mission-specific supersonic flight services under customer agreements, rather than pursuing speculative technology development.
Each completed test campaign strengthens the Company's track record, supports aircraft utilization, and positions Starfighters for follow-on programs, repeat customers, and expanded mission scope across propulsion testing, systems validation, training, and space-adjacent applications.
The ATLAS program is funded by the U.S. Department of Defense under Title III of the Defense Production Act and is intended to advance air-breathing propulsion technologies capable of enhanced speed, range, and responsiveness.
About Starfighters Space, Inc.
Starfighters Space, Inc. is the only commercial company in the world with the ability to fly payloads at sustained MACH 2+ and with the capability to launch those payloads to space. Starfighters Space is an organization committed to participating in high-demand commercial space activities. Located at the NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Company operates a growing fleet of modified supersonic aircraft operationally configurable to act as the first stage lifting platform to carry payloads up to 45,000 feet for air launch to space. Additional activities include support research, pilot training, space flight training, and advanced scientific efforts including hypersonic testing as part of air launch partner development programs. Starfighters Space is working to position its capability to become the most cost-effective launch provider in the sector.
For more information about Starfighters Space, Inc. please visit: https://starfightersspace.com/.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:
Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, the information presented in this news release constitutes "forward-looking statements" as such term is used in applicable United States securities laws. These statements relate to analysis and other information that are based on forecasts or future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Any other statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "estimates" or "intends", or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and should be viewed as "forward-looking statements". We have based these forward-looking statements on information currently available to the Company, assumptions the Company believes are reasonable and our current expectations about future events or performance. While we believe these expectations are reasonable, such forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. Our actual future results may differ materially from those discussed or implied in our forward-looking statements for various reasons. Factors that could contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, the ability to obtain the necessary permits and approvals to operate, the Company's ability to develop new products and/or services, the approval of the Company's application for a launch license and the timing thereof, the Company's expansion to Midland, Texas, the adoption by the market of the Company's method of satellite deployment, the Company's continued business arrangements, market trends and competition in the Company's industry, the future diversification of the Company's revenue streams and the assumptions underlying any of the foregoing, and other factors discussed in the Company's filings with the Commission under Regulation A. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements are qualified by these cautionary statements, and there can be no assurances that the actual results or developments will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effect on, the Company. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this news release and in any document referred to in this news release. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made only as of the date hereof. The Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of any offer to buy the Company's securities.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260105357616/en/
Media
[email protected]
Investors
[email protected]