Civil Aircraft Breaks Sound Barrier For First Time Since Concorde

YouTube / Dawn Aerospace
Supersonic Milestone!
In a groundbreaking moment for aviation, Dawn Aerospace’s rocket-powered Mk-II Aurora has become the first civil aircraft to go supersonic since Concorde’s retirement in 2003.

On November 12, 2024, the uncrewed, remotely piloted aircraft reached Mach 1.1—10% faster than the speed of sound—during a test flight near Mt. Cook, New Zealand. The achievement signals a major leap toward the future of hypersonic travel and daily space access.

The 16-ft Aurora, designed and built in New Zealand, not only became the nation’s first supersonic aircraft but also set records for the highest altitude reached—82,500 feet—and the fastest climb rate to 66,000 feet, beating a modified F-15’s decades-old record. Incredibly, the Aurora completed a second flight just six hours later, demonstrating its rapid turnaround capabilities.

With aspirations to reach speeds of Mach 3.5 and an altitude of 62 miles, the Aurora is poised to revolutionize aerospace. Its potential applications include satellite launches, atmospheric science, and microgravity research.
“This milestone sets the stage for Aurora to become the world’s highest and fastest-flying aircraft,”
said Stefan Powell, Dawn Aerospace’s CEO, adding that it paves the way for operational hypersonic aircraft.

The supersonic era is back, and Dawn Aerospace is at the forefront.