A Texas-based company has completed the inaugural flight test of a 3D-printed hybrid rocket engine system. The flight test, called GMLRS-class Firehawk Analog (GFA), demonstrated directional stability and thrust performance.
Firehawk Aerospace’s new system is part of its ongoing Phase III SBIR contract with the Army Applications Laboratory (AAL).
After launching from a purpose-built mobile platform, the company revealed that the hybrid rocket system achieved a vertical ascent of over 18,000 feet, exceeding the speed of sound.
“This milestone proves that hybrid propulsion systems, when paired with advanced additive manufacturing, have a real place in the future of tactical systems,” states Will Edwards, CEO, Firehawk Aerospace.
“To design, develop, and launch the first-ever GMLRS form-factor hybrid propulsion system underscores the strength and innovation of our engineering team and the scalability of our technology.”
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