SkyRange is the DoW’s flagship initiative to modernize hypersonic flight test infrastructure. The program replaces fixed and ship-based range assets with high-altitude airborne platforms capable of collecting, relaying, and distributing real-time telemetry data. This airborne-first architecture accelerates range setup, expands test corridor flexibility, and increases test cadence to meet growing hypersonic development requirements.

Under the contract, AEVEX will provide:

Airborne range integration and engineering services
Flight operations support across Western U.S. and Pacific test corridors
Airborne telemetry relay and resilient communications architecture support
Payload and mission systems integration
Distributed range networking, instrumentation, and mission data support
Through these capabilities, AEVEX will enable TRMC to increase hypersonic test frequency, enhance data resiliency, and expand the distributed test infrastructure needed to support national defense customers.

"Rapid hypersonic development depends on scalable airborne infrastructure, resilient telemetry architecture, and the ability to collect operational test data at speed," said Mike Jackson, Senior Vice President, Global Solutions at AEVEX. "This award positions AEVEX to deliver critical support to hypersonic test operations and strengthens the next generation of the DoW’s test and evaluation enterprise."

SkyRange was established to repurpose unmanned aircraft — including former RQ-4 Global Hawks — into "Range Hawk" platforms equipped with specialized upward-looking sensors and instrumentation to track hypersonic vehicles in flight. By placing major test instrumentation on rapidly deployable airborne nodes, TRMC can significantly increase the frequency and flexibility of hypersonic test events compared to legacy ship-based approaches.