Starfighters Space Secures $6.9 Billion for Hypersonic Weapons Development
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 02 2026
0mins
Should l Buy FJET?
Source: PRnewswire
- Market Opportunity: The U.S. Department of Defense's commitment of over $6.9 billion for hypersonic weapons development in FY 2025 is projected to drive the hypersonic technology market to $8.46 billion by 2025, highlighting the urgent demand for speed superiority.
- Strategic Positioning: Operating out of NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Starfighters Space boasts the world's only commercial fleet of jets capable of sustained MACH 2 flight, offering flexible launch scheduling and rapid turnaround to meet defense and commercial client needs.
- Customer Base Expansion: The company partners with the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory for hypersonic weapons testing, ensuring technological parity against strategic competitors like Russia and China, with clients including Lockheed Martin and GE.
- Future Development Plans: Through its STARLAUNCH program, Starfighters aims to provide high-cadence, cost-resilient launch solutions for small satellite operators at approximately $15,000 per kilogram, targeting the market gap between expensive dedicated launches and unpredictable rideshare options.
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Analyst Views on FJET
About FJET
Starfighters Space, Inc. operates the commercial fleet of flight-ready F-104 supersonic aircraft (Lockheed F-104). The Lockheed F-104 is developed as a supersonic aircraft for the United States Armed Forces. Supersonic flights capable of flying at MACH 2 with air-launch rockets in development through the Starfighters STARLAUNCH program. The Lockheed F-104 also performed many safety chase missions in support of advanced research aircraft and provided a launch platform for sounding rockets. The Company organizes its services into various categories: historical services and new services. Its historical services include pilot and astronaut training, launch services and access to space, and in-flight testing. Its new services include launch services and access to space (commercial, academic, civil and government clients), and airborne testbed for hypersonic research and development (R&D) and test and evaluation (T&E) test bed (commercial, academic, civil and government).
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Supersonic Advantage: Unlike most small-satellite and research rockets that launch from sea level, Starfighters' system provides a supersonic head start by releasing at altitude, which reduces aerodynamic stress and enhances propellant efficiency, allowing payloads to avoid the densest part of the atmosphere for cleaner flight.
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See More
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- Funding Target: SpaceX aims to raise up to $50 billion, potentially valuing the company at around $1.5 trillion, which would surpass Saudi Aramco's $29 billion listing in 2019, making it the largest IPO in history.
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See More
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