Hypersonica
Hypersonica is a German-founded defence and aerospace company developing modular hypersonic missile systems at Mach 6+ speeds for European NATO member state governments, with the UK Government as a named counterpart on the Nightfall programme.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2023
- HeadquartersWeßling, Germany
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Hypersonica does
Hypersonica GmbH is a privately held European defence and aerospace company founded in December 2023 and headquartered in Weßling/Munich, Germany, with a UK subsidiary in London. The company designs and develops next-generation hypersonic systems for military and, prospectively, civilian applications, with the immediate focus on a sovereign hypersonic strike capability for European NATO member states. Its core technology is a modular hypersonic architecture that supports Mach 6+ speeds and glide ranges exceeding 300 kilometres; the architecture is intended to compress conventional multi-year hypersonic development timelines into months and to reduce programme costs by more than 80%.
The company's principal product is a Hypersonic Strike System targeting full operational deployment by 2029, with the SCOOTER HS-1 hypersonic test vehicle serving as the in-flight demonstrator. SCOOTER HS-1 completed its first successful test flight on 3 February 2026 from Andøya Space in northern Norway, validating system performance down to subcomponent level. Hypersonica reached a 9-month design-to-launchpad development cycle and positions the modular platform as an evolving system intended to sustain long-term operational superiority for allied customers.
Hypersonica operates an enterprise field sales motion targeting European NATO member state governments through direct defence procurement channels, with revenue expected to come from one-time licence and programme-based defence contracts rather than recurring software revenue. The UK Government is identified as an active counterpart on the Nightfall missile programme, and the company is engaging additional European governments on deep strike capabilities in the context of the UK-German Trinity House Agreement. The company is backed by Plural (lead, Series A), SPRIND (Germany's Federal Agency for Breakthrough Innovation, in its first-ever defence investment), General Catalyst, and 201 Ventures, with a €23.3M Series A closed in February 2026.
Hypersonica firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hypersonica
- Legal name
- Hypersonica GmbH
- Website
- https://hypersonica.space
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2023
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Hypersonica is a German-founded defence and aerospace company developing modular hypersonic missile systems at Mach 6+ speeds for European NATO member state governments, with the UK Government as a named counterpart on the Nightfall programme.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hypersonica industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Defense & Aerospace - Hypersonic Missile Systems
- NAICS
- Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit and Propulsion Unit Parts Manufacturing (336415), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419)
- SIC
- Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Hypersonic Systems (Weapons & Defense) (IMABAOAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Guided Missile & Rocket Manufacturing (IMABAHAA), Rocket Motors, Propellants & Warhead Integration (IMABAHAC)
Keywords
Where Hypersonica is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Weßling
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Hypersonica business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hypersonic Missile Systems: Development and sale of sovereign hypersonic strike capabilities to European NATO member states. Revenue derived from defense procurement contracts with governments for advanced missile systems.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels2 records
Hypersonica product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hypersonica develops next-generation hypersonic missile systems for European NATO member state governments, using a custom modular architecture that compresses development timelines from years to months and reduces costs by over 80%. The company has flight-tested the SCOOTER HS-1 hypersonic test vehicle at Mach 6+ over 300 km and is targeting a fully operational sovereign hypersonic strike capability by 2029.
Product overview
Hypersonica is a mission-driven European defence and aerospace company developing next-generation hypersonic systems. The company operates a modular architecture approach that compresses development timelines from years to months and reduces costs by over 80%. The primary product offering includes the SCOOTER HS-1 hypersonic test vehicle, which has successfully completed test flights, alongside a broader Hypersonic Strike System targeting full operational deployment by 2029 for NATO member states. The company also explores hypersonic systems for civilian applications.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- SCOOTER HS-1 Hypersonic Test Vehicle
- Hypersonic Strike System
Quantifiable outcome
- Development timeline reduction from years to months
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Hypersonica
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Hypersonica technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Hypersonica partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Andøya Space (Norway)coreConducted first successful hypersonic missile prototype test flight from Andøya Space facility in northern Norway. Test vehicle reached speeds exceeding Mach 6 and covered more than 300 kilometers.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Hypersonica competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Reaction Engines: UK-based advanced propulsion developer (SABRE engine) with hypersonic and precooled propulsion technology. Comparable as a European hypersonic-adjacent propulsion company pursuing both defense and space-access applications.
- Falcon Hypersonics: Australian emerging hypersonic propulsion company developing scramjet and air-breathing engine technology. Comparable as a small, venture-backed hypersonic propulsion startup serving defense customers in a Western market.
Broad incumbents
- Lockheed Martin: US defense prime with hypersonic strike programs (e.g., AGM-183A ARRW, hypersonic portfolio). Major incumbent and transatlantic competitor for hypersonic missile contracts, with deep Pentagon relationships and extensive test infrastructure.
- MBDA: European multinational missile systems house owned by Airbus, Leonardo, and BAE Systems. Primary incumbent competitor in European missile procurement, with established hypersonic and cruise missile programs targeting the same NATO customers.
- Raytheon (RTX): US defense prime with multiple hypersonic programs and extensive missile integration capabilities. Major incumbent competitor across the hypersonic strike market that NATO allies could source from instead.
- Diehl Defence: German missile and air defence systems manufacturer headquartered in Germany. Directly comparable as a domestic German defense prime that Hypersonica must compete with for Bundeswehr and broader European contracts.
Regional players
- Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace: Norwegian defense and aerospace company providing missile systems (e.g., Naval Strike Missile) and partnership infrastructure. Highly comparable as a Northern European defense company with strong sovereign capabilities and a partner to Andøya Space, where Hypersonica conducted its test flight.
Direct peers
- Hermeus: US-based startup developing hypersonic aircraft with rapid iteration philosophy. Closely comparable in mission, technology approach, and venture-backed stage, though focused on crewed/commercial hypersonic flight rather than purely military strike.
- Stratolaunch: US company developing and operating hypersonic test vehicles (Talon-A) for defense and commercial customers. Directly comparable in hypersonic flight testing capability and reusable test architecture.
- Destinus: European hypersonic and unmanned aerospace startup developing autonomous high-speed platforms. Closest direct peer as another European privately funded company pursuing hypersonic flight with both defense and civil applications, headquartered in Switzerland.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Hypersonica social profiles
Digital presenceHypersonica financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hypersonica leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Hypersonica subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Hypersonica funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hypersonica M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Hypersonica
What does Hypersonica do?
Hypersonica develops next-generation hypersonic missile systems for European NATO member state governments, using a custom modular architecture that compresses development timelines from years to months and reduces costs by over 80%. The company has flight-tested the SCOOTER HS-1 hypersonic test vehicle at Mach 6+ over 300 km and is targeting a fully operational sovereign hypersonic strike capability by 2029.
Is Hypersonica a public or private company?
Hypersonica is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Hypersonica founded?
Hypersonica was founded in 2023. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Hypersonica based?
Hypersonica is headquartered in Weßling, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Hypersonica make money?
One revenue line is on record: hypersonic Missile Systems.
Who are Hypersonica's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Reaction Engines and Falcon Hypersonics. Broad incumbents are Lockheed Martin, MBDA, Raytheon (RTX) and Diehl Defence. Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are Hermeus, Stratolaunch and Destinus.
Does Hypersonica have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hypersonica.
What industry is Hypersonica in?
Hypersonica's product category is Defense & Aerospace - Hypersonic Missile Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAOAG, Hypersonic Systems (Weapons & Defense), with a secondary code of IMABAHAA, Guided Missile & Rocket Manufacturing. Its NAICS code is 336414 and its SIC code is 3760.