4 minute read•Updated 3:58 PM EDT, Tue April 15, 2025
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB), a global leader in launch services and space systems, has been officially selected to support two major defense initiatives in the United States and the United Kingdom aimed at advancing next-generation hypersonic technologies.
Through its suborbital HASTE (Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test Electron) launch vehicle and advanced engineering services, Rocket Lab will play a key role in accelerating hypersonic development under multi-billion dollar government frameworks.
Dual-Track Support Across Two Nations
In the United States, Rocket Lab has been chosen as a supplier under the Enterprise-Wide Agile Acquisition Contract (EWAAC); a sweeping $46 billion Indefinite Delivery-Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract issued by the U.S. Air Force.
Designed to expedite procurement of innovative technologies, the EWAAC program enables rapid access to advanced capabilities across aerospace, defense, and systems engineering domains. The program runs through 2031 and empowers the Air Force to onboard and deploy emerging solutions with unprecedented speed and flexibility.
Simultaneously, the U.K. Ministry of Defence (MOD) has onboarded Rocket Lab as part of its Hypersonic Technologies & Capability Development Framework (HTCDF); a £1 billion (~$1.3 billion USD) initiative focused on building sovereign hypersonic systems for national defense.
Through this framework, Rocket Lab will be eligible to compete for task orders supporting the development, testing, and integration of hypersonic systems and infrastructure within the U.K.’s defense ecosystem.
HASTE: A Launch Platform for the Hypersonic Age
At the center of Rocket Lab’s contribution is HASTE, a suborbital variant of its flight-proven Electron rocket. Modified to serve the unique demands of hypersonic flight testing, HASTE features a larger payload capacity (up to 700 kg or 1,540 lbs), and a reconfigured Kick Stage optimized for deploying air-breathing, glide, and ballistic payloads at hypersonic velocities exceeding 7.5 km/s.
With the ability to simulate re-entry conditions and support rapid test turnarounds, HASTE is uniquely positioned to serve a growing number of defense and aerospace programs seeking affordable and flexible hypersonic testbeds.
Proven Capabilities, Global Reach
To date, Rocket Lab has completed three successful HASTE missions for the U.S. Department of Defense, including two launches within just 21 days; a feat that underscores the company’s ability to deliver frequent, on-demand access to the upper atmosphere and beyond.
All HASTE missions have launched from Launch Complex 2 (LC-2) at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Wallops Island, Virginia.
Beyond HASTE, Rocket Lab’s broader suite of technologies, ranging from 3D-printed Rutherford engines to advanced composite materials, have enabled the company to successfully deliver more than 200 payloads to orbit from both the United States and New Zealand. The company’s ability to rapidly iterate, integrate, and launch cutting-edge hardware aligns directly with the goals of the U.S. and U.K. programs, both of which emphasize speed-to-field, operational flexibility, and technological superiority in contested domains.
“The ability to contribute toward the collective security of the United States and the United Kingdom across both of these important programs is a proud moment for the HASTE team, and a demonstration of Rocket Lab’s commitment to lead from the front when it comes to innovative and unique solutions for hypersonic technology development. Keeping pace with global developments means more affordable tests at a higher rate that expands the boundaries of hypersonic technology — and that’s a capability we’re already providing all in one platform with HASTE, at a commercial price and cadence that serves the mission of both nations.” - Sir Peter Beck, Founder and CEO of Rocket Lab
A Strategic Position in a Rapidly Growing Market
Rocket Lab’s selection by both governments comes at a time when global interest in hypersonic capabilities is accelerating, with nations racing to develop and field systems capable of traveling at speeds greater than Mach 5. The ability to test and refine these technologies quickly and cost-effectively is now seen as a strategic imperative, and companies like Rocket Lab are helping to shift the paradigm from decades-long development cycles to agile, iterative testing models.
With access to two of the largest defense R&D funding pools in the world, Rocket Lab is now poised to become a critical enabler in the West’s hypersonic strategy, delivering not just launch capabilities, but also the integrated engineering, design, and testing services needed to advance next-generation aerospace platforms.
