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LONG BEACH, Calif. - Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (NASDAQ: RKLB), a prominent provider of launch services and space systems with a market capitalization of $9.22 billion, will conduct a full-scale hypersonic test flight for the Department of Defense (DOD) as part of the Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonic Test Bed (MACH-TB) 2.0 program. The company’s stock has shown remarkable performance, delivering a 417% return over the past year. According to InvestingPro analysis, the stock currently appears overvalued relative to its Fair Value. The mission, utilizing Rocket Lab’s HASTE rocket, is set to launch from the company’s Launch Complex 2 on Wallops Island, Virginia, with a targeted timeframe of no earlier than the first quarter of 2026.
This event marks the first full-scale flight test assigned to Rocket Lab by Kratos under the MACH-TB 2.0 contract, a substantial $1.45 billion initiative aimed at accelerating the development and testing of hypersonic technologies for the United States. The company has demonstrated strong revenue growth, with trailing twelve-month revenue reaching $436.21 million, and analysts expect sales to grow by 33% in the current year. For deeper insights into Rocket Lab’s growth trajectory and financial health metrics, investors can access the comprehensive Pro Research Report available on InvestingPro. Rocket Lab was chosen in January to join the Kratos-led team for the MACH-TB 2.0 program, following the successful completion of multiple hypersonic test launches for the program’s earlier iteration, including three launches for the DOD from the same Virginia launch complex.
The HASTE rocket, a suborbital variant of the Electron rocket, boasts a payload capacity of up to 700 kg (1,540 lbs) and is capable of deploying technologies at speeds exceeding 7.5 km per second. With its carbon fiber composite structures and 3D printed rocket engines, HASTE is designed for testing various hypersonic systems, including air-breathing, glide, and ballistic payloads, as well as re-entry technologies.
Sir Peter Beck, Rocket Lab founder and CEO, expressed confidence in HASTE’s role as a leading commercial test platform for hypersonic systems, highlighting the company’s operational speed, launch cadence, and versatility in serving multiple mission profiles.
Rocket Lab’s upcoming schedule includes a series of HASTE launches for 2025 and 2026, such as a Defense Innovation Unit mission to deploy a scram-jet powered vehicle at hypersonic speeds, a continuation of a multi-launch contract with Leidos, and a test flight for an undisclosed customer.
Additionally, HASTE has been incorporated into two major defense initiatives, including the $46 billion Enterprise-Wide Agile Acquisition Contract (EWAAC) under the United States Air Force and the UK Ministry of Defence’s Hypersonic Technologies & Capability Development Framework (HTCDF), valued at approximately $1.3 billion.
The information in this article is based on a press release statement from Rocket Lab USA, Inc.
In other recent news, Rocket Lab USA has announced its inclusion in two significant government programs focused on hypersonic technology development. The U.S. Air Force selected Rocket Lab for the $46 billion Enterprise-Wide Agile Acquisition Contract (EWAAC), which aims to enhance the Air Force’s technological capabilities through rapid acquisition, with the contract extending through 2031. Additionally, the UK Ministry of Defense has chosen Rocket Lab for its $1.3 billion Hypersonic Technologies & Capability Development Framework (HTCDF), further expanding the company’s opportunities in hypersonic technology. Rocket Lab plans to utilize its Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test Electron (HASTE) launch vehicle to compete for contracts under these programs. Stifel analysts have reiterated a Buy rating and a $27 price target for Rocket Lab, viewing these developments as a key milestone for the company’s launch business. Cantor Fitzgerald also maintains an Overweight rating with a $24 price target, highlighting Rocket Lab’s strategic position in the industry. However, Rocket Lab faces potential challenges as the Trump White House has proposed significant budget cuts to NASA, which could impact contracts and opportunities for space-related companies. The proposed cuts include a 20% reduction in NASA’s overall budget, affecting various science programs.
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