Rocket Lab (RKLB) Launches Cassowary Vex Hypersonic Mission for the U.S. Department of War

Core Insights - Rocket Lab Corporation announced the launch of its new mission, Cassowary Vex, on the HASTE rocket for the U.S. Department of War's Defense Innovation Unit, showcasing its leadership in hypersonic test capabilities [1] - The HASTE launch features the Hypersonix scramjet and is the company's fourth such mission in six months, enabling flight profiles up to Mach 20 [1] - The company reported a record-breaking year of launches in 2025 and is preparing for an even busier launch year in 2026 [3] Company Developments - On January 30, 2026, Rocket Lab successfully completed its 81st Electron mission, "Bridging The Swarm," deploying South Korea's NEONSAT-1A satellite [2] - The founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck, emphasized the company's leadership following this second launch in eight days [2] - Rocket Lab is recognized as a leading end-to-end space company, developing rocket launch and control systems for the space and defense industries since its founding in 2006 [3]