Charlotte Bailey joined AIN’s editorial team in 2025 as a news reporter covering multiple topics including business aviation, new technology and the defense sector. She is also a frequent presenter in AIN’s video news reports. 
UK-based Charlotte has a strong interest in vintage military jets and in 2023 published a book about the de Havilland Vampire, as well as serving as a consultant on the topic for TV and movie projects. She is keen to expand her flying experience and enjoys hands-on assignments worldwide. In 2024, Charlotte was honored as Best New Journalist in the Aerospace Media Awards. Early in her career, Charlotte was involved in manufacturing customized hot air balloons.

News Reporter 

Charlotte Bailey

Stratolaunch has acquired an additional aircraft, a Boeing 777-200ER, to support ongoing missions involving its reusable Talon-A hypersonic flight test vehicle. Alongside the private U.S. aerospace group’s existing carrier assets— the Boeing 747-400 ‘Spirit of Mojave’ and purpose-built ‘Roc’ aircraft—the former airliner will now be converted into an airborne ‘mothership’ to take Talon-A aloft.
Announcing the investment on September 30, Stratolaunch said that the 777 will expand its flight test infrastructure. Modifications to enable the air launch of the autonomous Talon-A vehicles from its fuselage are expected to be completed in 2027. These are to be released at altitude and fly in excess of Mach 5 before returning to land on a standard runway.&nbsp;
When operational, Stratolaunch estimates this third member of its fleet of test platforms will boost overall flight capacity by 35%. “As demand for hypersonic technologies continues to grow, we’re building the operational scale to make routine hypersonic testing a reality for our customers around the world,” Stratolaunch CEO Zachary Krevor said.&nbsp;
The company describes its custom-designed Talon-A craft as the only autonomous, reusable, air-launched hypersonic flight test platform in the U.S. According to Stratolaunch, “rather than build an entirely new test vehicle for every mission, customers benefit from a reusable platform that increases testing frequency while helping reduce costs and development timelines.” In July, Stratolaunch revealed its pair of Talon-A aircraft had completed more than ten successful hypersonic missions to date.&nbsp;
In February 2026, Stratolaunch extended its partnership with the Pentagon’s Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonics Test Bed program, originally awarded in September 2025. Under this new award, the company pledged to conduct “multiple air-launched flight tests over a two-year period,” supporting U.S. military research objectives.&nbsp;

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Stratolaunch Expands Hypersonic Test Fleet With Boeing 777 

Third aircraft set to carry Talon-A hypersonic flight test vehicles to launch altitude

Stratolaunch has acquired an additional aircraft, a Boeing 777-200ER, to support ongoing missions involving its reusable Talon-A hypersonic flight test vehicle.

Stratolaunch Expands Hypersonic Test Fleet With 777 

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News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

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News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

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