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GE Aerospace and Starfighters Aerospace Complete Supersonic Flight Tests of ATLAS Vehicle
GE Aerospace has successfully completed supersonic captive-carry flight tests of its Atmospheric Test of Launched Airbreathing System (ATLAS) Flight Test Vehicle, marking a major step forward in solid fuel ramjet propulsion technology. The tests, conducted with Starfighters Aerospace’s Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, highlight the continued adaptability of the iconic aircraft in advancing high-speed and hypersonic flight research.
Captive carry flights mark critical milestone in advancing solid fuel ramjet technology. Photo via GE Aerospace
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Kennedy Space Center, Fla. — GE Aerospace has announced the successful completion of supersonic captive-carry flight tests of its Atmospheric Test of Launched Airbreathing System (ATLAS) Flight Test Vehicle, marking a major milestone in the development of solid fuel ramjet (SFRJ) propulsion technology. The test vehicle was carried aloft by a Lockheed F-104 Starfighter operated by Starfighters Aerospace, the world’s only commercial fleet of flight-ready F-104 aircraft.
Photo by Matt Haskell via Starfighters Aerospace
Starfighters Aerospace operates out of Kennedy Space Center, offering a rare and versatile supersonic platform capable of launching payloads to space. Over the years, the company has expanded its mission to include aerospace research, pilot and astronaut training, and advanced scientific testing — including hypersonic experiments and air-launch development programs. Through its sister company, Starfighters Space, the organization aims to become one of the most cost-effective launch providers in the emerging air-launch sector.
Photo by Matt Haskell
In the fall of 2022, Starfighters Aerospace successfully demonstrated an air-launched rocket delivery system developed in partnership with CNR (Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche) — Italy’s largest public research institution — and supported by the Italian Air Force and Ministry of Defense. The mission underscored the enduring adaptability of the F-104, proving that more than 70 years after its first flight, Kelly Johnson’s legendary design continues to play a valuable role in cutting-edge aerospace research.
Starfighters Aerospace’s TF-104G-M N991SA with CNR’s prototype rocket mounted on a pylon under the left wing. This test evaluated the test article’s mechanical and aeronautical properties to ensure that it is suitable for launch from the F-104 platform. image via Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Italy- Photo by L. Paciucci. )
“This marks a pivotal moment for GE Aerospace as we showcase our solid fuel ramjet technology in flight for the first time,” said Mark Rettig, vice president and general manager of Edison Works Business & Technology Development at GE Aerospace. “Captive-carry testing of reusable flight test hardware allows for more frequent testing in realistic atmospheric conditions to better understand system behavior.”
As part of the ATLAS program, the system was carried on a Starfighters F-104 for a series of three successful flights, achieving supersonic speeds. Funded by the Department of Defense under Title III of the Defense Production Act, the ATLAS initiative seeks to advance air-breathing propulsion systems that can extend the range and performance of next-generation munitions. This phase of testing is designed to validate the key performance capabilities of solid fuel ramjets in flight, providing crucial insights for future systems requiring higher speed, longer range, and greater responsiveness. The ATLAS program is part of GE Aerospace’s broader investment in high-speed and hypersonic propulsion technologies. In 2022, the company acquired Innoveering to accelerate its hypersonics portfolio, and earlier this year announced major upgrades to its test facilities in Evendale, Ohio; Bohemia, New York; and Niskayuna, New York — improvements that will enable large-scale, mission-relevant testing at unprecedented Mach numbers.
GE’s Dual-Mode Ramjet. Photo via GE Aerospace
With a growing fleet of nine operational F-104 Starfighters, Starfighters Aerospace continues to offer its unique aircraft for an expanding range of aerospace flight test services — from basic research and system validation to advanced hypersonic experimentation. The company’s role in the ATLAS program underscores how the timeless F-104 design remains an indispensable asset in pushing the boundaries of flight. For more information, visit www.starfightersspace.com/news/Photo by Matt Haskell
Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.
