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The World’s Largest Airplane: By the Numbers

At Stratolaunch’s facility at California’s Mojave Air and Space Port (KMHV), engineers, technicians, and flight crews are preparing the world’s largest airplane for its next test flight. Here are a few key facts and figures highlighting the one-of-a-kind air-to-launch carrier airplane known as Roc.

Stratolaunch Roc with pylon
Stratolaunch’s Roc, the world’s largest airplane by wingspan, now includes a new pylon on its center wing. [Courtesy: Stratolaunch]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Stratolaunch's "Roc," the world's largest airplane by wingspan, is preparing for its fifth test flight.
  • The upcoming flight will test a new custom pylon attached to Roc's center wing, which is critical for its operational model.
  • This pylon is designed to securely carry and release small, rocket-powered, hypersonic testbed vehicles like the Talon-A at high altitudes.
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At Stratolaunch’s facility at California’s Mojave Air and Space Port (KMHV), engineers, technicians, and flight crews are preparing the world’s largest airplane for its fifth test flight. 

Roc, the twin-fuselage behemoth with a wingspan longer than an NFL football field, will have a new piece of equipment on board: a custom pylon attached to the airplane’s center wing. 

Thom Patterson

Thom is a former senior editor for FLYING. Previously, his freelance reporting appeared in aviation industry magazines. Thom also spent three decades as a TV and digital journalist at CNN’s bureaus in Washington and Atlanta, eventually specializing in aviation. He has reported from air shows in Oshkosh, Farnborough and Paris. Follow Thom on Twitter @thompatterson.

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