Stratolaunch's huge Roc carrier plane flies higher than ever on 7th test flight

The aircraft flew higher than it has before in its seventh test flight.

During a flight over the Mojave Desert in California yesterday, Roc reached a maximum altitude of 27,000 feet (8,200 meters), making it the highest altitude in the world.

The seventh flight focused on continuing the flight envelope expansion with the addition of the pylon on the aircraft's center wing. Hypersonic vehicles will be attached to the pylon.

The objectives that were met on the flight were reviewing the aircraft's performance, handling and landing gear.

The world's largest plane is being tested.

Yesterday's flight came a week after Roc's sixth sortie, which ended early due to unforeseen results. The company hasn't said what those results were.

The massive airplane, which has a wingspan of more than 100 m, is designed to be used for hypersonic flight. A hypersonic vehicle prototype is one of the payloads. It is designed to fly at six times the speed of sound.

If everything goes according to plan, operational flights for Talon-A will start in 2023. The program to get Talon-A ready is making good progress according to the company.

The company is making progress on system integration of its first hypersonic flight test vehicle, and on the fabrication of a third vehicle, according to a letter from representatives.

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