Hypersonica Secures New Funding for Defence Innovation

Hypersonica, a European firm dedicated to developing hypersonic missile systems, has successfully raised €23 million from investors. This funding round was facilitated by strong demand signals from the British government, highlighting a growing interest in advanced defence capabilities.

The company, founded by two Oxford University PhDs in 2024, aims to create missiles capable of manoeuvring while flying at speeds exceeding five times the speed of sound. Recently, Hypersonica conducted successful tests of its navigation systems from a launchpad in Norway, achieving speeds that surpassed 7400 kilometres per hour, or Mach 6.

Philipp Kerth, co-founder and chief executive of Hypersonica, emphasised the company’s goal to provide Europe with a precision strike capability that aligns with budgetary and developmental timelines. He stated that the funds will enable the firm to pursue a time-efficient approach to technology advancement.

As Europe faces increasing security challenges, the demand for deep-strike missile capabilities has become apparent. Kerth noted that the firm is keen to address these requirements without resorting to the lengthy and costly development processes that characterise existing US systems.

The investment round was led by founder-led fund Plural, alongside contributions from Germany’s Federal Agency for Breakthrough Innovation and existing investors General Catalyst and 201 Ventures. Hypersonica is also part of the UK government’s £1 billion hypersonic development programme.

Kerth indicated that the company plans to expand its team in London and collaborate with UK-based suppliers. This strategy reflects the firm’s commitment to local manufacturing and addresses the British government’s clear interest in hypersonic strike capabilities.

The announcement of this funding comes shortly after the UK government closed bids for a new ballistic missile system designed to carry a 200-kilogram warhead over a range greater than 500 kilometres. This new system, named Nightfall, is intended for delivery to Ukraine while simultaneously informing future long-range strike projects for the UK Armed Forces.