A 'Roc' Rises

Stratolaunch test flies the world's largest airplane—by many metrics—with a view towards air-to-launch operations.

Thom Patterson

Thursday, December 22, 2022 at 08:14 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Kimberly Johnson

With seven missions completed as of June 16, expect more frequent test flights as Stratolaunch continues to develop and fine-tune this unprecedented airplane. Roc’s next big leap forward will demonstrate safe release and separation of a payload. [Courtesy: Stratolaunch]

Key Takeaways:

Stratolaunch's Roc, the world's largest airplane by wingspan, is progressing toward operational status as an air-to-launch carrier platform after seven successful test flights.
Its primary purpose is to carry and launch autonomous, hypersonic testbed vehicles like Talon-A at high altitudes, with contracts secured from the Pentagon for hypersonic missile tests.
Despite unique piloting challenges due to its size and a design integrating components from retired Boeing 747s, Roc has consistently met mission goals and is expected to be operational in 2023.

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After seven test flights, Stratolaunch’s Roc—the world’s largest airplane by wingspan—is well on its way to achieving operational status as an air-to-launch carrier platform.

Based at California’s Mojave Air and Space Port (KMHV), Roc is the brainchild of the late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. You might say the airplane is steeped in myth and legend. Its nickname was inspired by a mythical bird of Middle Eastern lore, and the airplane was designed and built by Scaled Composites—the company founded by legendary aerospace engineer and designer Burt Rutan.