Rocket Lab will launch its HASTE sub‑orbital rocket carrying the DART AE scramjet aircraft for the Department of War’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) on a mission named Cassowary Vex. The flight is scheduled for late February 2026 from Launch Complex 2 at the Virginia Spaceport Authority’s Mid‑Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Wallops Island, Virginia.
This marks Rocket Lab’s fourth hypersonic test flight in less than six months, underscoring the company’s rapid, cost‑effective launch cadence and growing partnership with U.S. defense. The HASTE platform can deliver controlled sub‑orbital flights up to Mach 20, giving the DIU precise test environments for high‑speed flight dynamics and data collection.
The DART AE, a reusable scramjet developed by Australian firm Hypersonix, can reach Mach 7 and is powered by a hydrogen‑fuelled engine. Its deployment on Cassowary Vex will test the vehicle’s high‑speed performance and sensor systems that are critical for future hypersonic weapons and defense sensors.
The mission reflects the broader U.S. hypersonic race and the trend of public‑private collaboration. By providing a dedicated test vehicle, Rocket Lab strengthens its position as a key enabler for government hypersonic programs, potentially expanding its backlog and opening new revenue streams in the defense sector.
While a specific launch date remains unconfirmed, the window of late February 2026 aligns with the DIU’s testing schedule and allows Rocket Lab to maintain its rapid turnaround capability, reinforcing its reputation for delivering on time and within budget.
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