Gilmour Space and Hypersonix Join Forces on Australian Hypersonic Flight Testing

Queensland aerospace companies Gilmour Space Technologies and Hypersonix have signed an agreement to develop hypersonic flight-test capability for defence and commercial programs in Australia and overseas. The partnership pairs Gilmour Space's rocket propulsion and launch capabilities with Hypersonix's scramjet propulsion and hypersonic vehicle technology, and was announced in Canberra on September 8, 2026.

The agreement combines Gilmour Space's rocket propulsion, launch, mission integration and flight-test capabilities with Hypersonix's scramjet propulsion and hypersonic vehicle technology. Hypersonic flight generally refers to speeds of Mach 5 and above, or at least five times the speed of sound. The companies said growing demand for hypersonic testing is being driven by the development of systems and enabling technologies including advanced sensors, communications, guidance systems and high-temperature materials.

Gilmour Space co-founder and CEO Adam Gilmour said the agreement could give customers more options to develop, test and demonstrate advanced technologies at greater frequency. "Australia is developing serious expertise in rockets, scramjets and hypersonic flight. The next step is connecting those technologies and giving them a pathway through demonstration and into use," he said. "By bringing together our complementary strengths, we can support a broader range of applications, while building sovereign capability that makes Australia a stronger and more valuable partner."

Hypersonix CEO Matt Hill said the partnership could help meet growing international demand for hypersonic test and evaluation and support the development of Australia's operational capabilities. "Defence customers need more frequent, responsive and accessible ways to test technologies in representative hypersonic conditions," Hill said. "Working with Gilmour Space will help us meet this need at pace and scale, while exploring new solutions for Australian and allied programs, including under AUKUS Pillar II. On this basis, we see Gilmour Space's expertise as crucial to strengthening Australia's sovereign hypersonic capability."

Both companies are portfolio companies of the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation, and the partnership was announced during an NRF Connect event at Parliament House in Canberra. Gilmour Space is headquartered on the Gold Coast and owns and operates the Bowen Orbital Spaceport in North Queensland. Hypersonix designs, builds and flies autonomous hypersonic aircraft.

The companies said they aim to strengthen Australia's sovereign industrial base by retaining critical intellectual property, skills, infrastructure and advanced manufacturing capacity in Australia. Hill described Gilmour Space's expertise as crucial to strengthening Australia's sovereign hypersonic capability, while Gilmour framed the partnership as making Australia a stronger and more valuable partner.

The companies said they will explore new solutions for Australian and allied programs, including under AUKUS Pillar II, as they work to meet demand for more frequent, responsive and accessible hypersonic testing.