The round, led by UK national security investor High Tor Capital, also included Saab and RKKVC, with North Ridge Partners advising the deal. The investment will accelerate development of Hypersonix’s reusable, hydrogen-powered hypersonic aircraft, positioning Australia at the forefront of sustainable high-speed flight.
The National Reconstruction Fund Corporation’s $10 million equity stake marks its first foray into the defence sector. Chief executive David Gall said the investment aligns with Australia’s push for greater sovereign capability.
“We see huge potential in backing Australian innovations that strengthen our industrial base while tapping into the global hypersonic market,” he said.
Founded in 2019, Hypersonix is developing a new class of reusable aircraft powered by green hydrogen, built around its proprietary Spartan scramjet engine, a 3D-printed system capable of speeds up to Mach 12. Unlike kerosene-fuelled designs, Spartan produces zero carbon emissions and requires minimal maintenance.
Company co-founder and former NASA scientist Dr Michael Smart said Spartan represents a leap forward in reusable hypersonic propulsion.
“What we’re building is a sovereign platform that’s clean, cost-effective and engineered for the real world,” he said.
The Series A funds will support the NASA-backed launch of DART AE, a 3.5-metre hypersonic demonstrator powered by Spartan. The flight, conducted under the US Defense Innovation Unit’s HyCAT program, is expected to be the world’s first sustained hypersonic flight using green hydrogen.
Hypersonix will also advance development of VISR, an eight-metre, hydrogen-fuelled aircraft designed for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and rapid delivery missions.
Chairman Arthur Sinodinos said the raise was a defining moment for Australia’s aerospace ambitions, saying, “This investment is a strong vote of confidence in Hypersonix and in Australia’s ability to lead the world in next-generation aerospace.”
The company currently employs 45 staff across engineering, advanced manufacturing and testing roles in Brisbane.