Starfighters Space Partners with Blackstar for Q4 FY26 Hypersonic SpaceDrone Trials
Starfighters Space’s F-104 fleet will flight-test Blackstar Orbital’s reusable SpaceDrone system with underwing captive carries now and supersonic release trials planned in Q4 FY26. Expansion to Midland, Texas and Pentagon hypersonic funding exceeding $1.19B across ARRW and HACM programs boost Starfighters’ defense contract pipeline.
1. Blackstar Orbital Partnership and Flight Testing
On March 30, Starfighters Space signed a Technical Interchange Agreement with Blackstar Orbital to integrate SpaceDrone lifting-body vehicles under its F-104 platform for underwing captive carries and planned supersonic release trials in Q4 FY26, marking the first operational flight validation of reusable hypersonic systems.
2. Pentagon Hypersonic Budgets Strengthen Pipeline
The U.S. Air Force has allocated $387.1 million to resume ARRW production and $802.8 million for HACM testing in FY26, contributing to Pentagon hypersonic spending that exceeds $1.19 billion and reinforcing Starfighters’ positioning as a commercial test platform for defense customers.
3. Operational Footprint Expansion to Midland
Starfighters has expanded operations to Midland International Air & Space Port in Texas, relocating aircraft and support equipment to enable missions across nine regional air and spaceport sites and ensure dual-hub resilience alongside its Florida base.
4. Strategic Technical Milestones Since Listing
Since its NYSE American listing in February 2026, Starfighters has completed GE Aerospace ATLAS supersonic flights above Mach 2, validated wind tunnel models for its STARLAUNCH I platform, and launched a microgravity flight partnership with Mu-G Technologies, demonstrating broad technical capabilities.