US EditionRocket Lab Secures $190M Contract for 20x HASTE Launches, Cements Hypersonics Leadership with Department of War Partnership
Rocket Lab will conduct 20 hypersonic test flights using its HASTE vehicle over four years, enhancing U.S. defense aerospace capabilities under a $190 million MACH-TB 2.0 contract.
- On March 18, 2026, Rocket Lab Corporation signed a $190 million block‑buy for 20 hypersonic test flights under MACH‑TB 2.0, a U.S. Department of War effort executed with NSWC Crane.
- Under MACH‑TB 2.0, Task Area 1 led by Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. , supported by NSWC Crane and TRMC, aims to accelerate hypersonic flight testing.
- HASTE, a suborbital Electron variant, carries up to 700 kilograms at speeds above Mach 5 and has completed several missions since 2023 with a 100% success rate.
- Within months, the first mission is expected, and Rocket Lab Corporation sold 28 launches in Q1 2026, nearly matching its full-year 2025 sales and boosting cadence for the warfighter.
- This expanded partnership positions Rocket Lab to scale U.S. hypersonic testing, building on past HASTE success and leveraging Electron, Neutron launch vehicles, and spacecraft components used in more than 1,700 missions.
19 Articles
19 Articles
Why Is Rocket Lab Stock Gaining Thursday? - Rocket Lab (NASDAQ:RKLB)
Rocket Lab Corp. (NASDAQ:RKLB) shares rose Thursday after the company secured a $190 million contract—its largest to date—for 20 HASTE hypersonic test launches under the MACH-TB 2.0 program. The four-year deal, led by Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc. (NASDAQ:KTOS), boosts Rocket Lab's backlog to over 70 launches and more than $2 billion across launch and space systems. The company said the first mission could occur within months. Rocket …
Rocket Lab wins $330m US Department of War contract
Rocket Lab founder and chief executive Sir Peter Beck. Photo: Supplied / Rocket Lab Rocket Lab has won a $US190 million (NZ$327m) contract from the United States Department of War, formerly the Department of Defence, for a series of hypersonic test flights using its HASTE launch vehicle.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 47% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
