CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Starfighters Space Inc. in Cape Canaveral, Fla., has completed a supersonic flight test campaign for GE Aerospace in Cincinnati in which its commercially-operated F-104 aircraft carried an advanced propulsion test vehicle on multiple captive-carry flights at supersonic speeds.
The flights were conducted as part of GE Aerospace’s Atmospheric Test of Launched Air-breathing System (ATLAS) program and included three successful supersonic missions flown from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Kennedy Space Center. During the campaign, the ATLAS flight test vehicle reached supersonic speeds, supporting the development of solid-fuel ramjet propulsion technology.
Starfighters Space Inc. operates a fleet of modified F-104 aircraft and provides commercial supersonic flight test services to aerospace and defense customers. The company says its aircraft are capable of carrying underwing payloads at speeds exceeding Mach 2.
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"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."
GE Aerospace led the ATLAS test effort, which is intended to mature air-breathing propulsion systems designed to deliver increased speed, range, and responsiveness. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Defense under Title III of the Defense Production Act.
Starfighters Chief Executive Officer Rick Svetkoff said the campaign demonstrated the company’s ability to support complex customer-funded test programs using commercially available supersonic aircraft.
"For customers developing next-generation propulsion and aerospace systems, access to flight-proven supersonic platforms is essential," Svetkoff said. "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."
Starfighters Space is based at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and operates supersonic aircraft configured to support propulsion testing, systems validation, and space-adjacent missions, including air-launch concepts. The company describes its aircraft as capable of carrying payloads to altitudes of about 45,000 feet for test and launch operations.
