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.
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.
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.
“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.
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/
