Starfighters Space: FAA Proposal for Relaxed Supersonic Regulations Could Expand Future Opportunities for Aviation and Spaceflight

Key Terms

mach 2+ technical

Mach 2+ means an object—usually an aircraft, missile or experimental vehicle—is flying faster than twice the speed of sound. For investors, that shorthand signals high-performance technology with potential advantages in defense, aerospace contracts or premium commercial applications, but also implies greater engineering complexity, higher development and testing costs, and regulatory and safety hurdles that can affect program timelines and profitability.

supersonic technical

Supersonic describes travel faster than the speed of sound, typically when an aircraft or vehicle exceeds about 767 miles per hour at sea level. For investors, supersonic technology signals a different set of costs, risks and opportunities — think of it as buying into a faster, higher‑performance product that often requires specialized materials, regulatory approvals and infrastructure, which can raise development expenses and create niche market potential.

hypersonic technical

Hypersonic describes vehicles or weapons that travel at speeds greater than about five times the speed of sound (roughly over 3,800 mph), moving so fast they behave differently from ordinary aircraft. For investors it matters because development and deployment drive demand for specialized materials, engines, guidance systems and testing services, shaping defence and aerospace spending, supply chains and company valuations; think of it as the difference between a car and a supersonic bullet in terms of technical challenge and cost.

sonic overpressure technical

A sudden, short-lived rise in air pressure produced by intense sound waves such as explosions, sonic booms, or high-energy blasts; it is measured as the pressure above normal atmospheric levels and often described in pascals or decibels of overpressure. It matters to investors because sonic overpressure can damage structures, equipment and hearing, trigger safety rules and permits, increase liability or insurance costs, and disrupt operations — like a powerful shock that slams windows and rattles machinery.

orbital payloads technical

Objects carried into Earth orbit or beyond by a launch vehicle, including satellites, scientific instruments, cargo for space stations, technology demonstrations, and hardware. Think of the payload as the cargo on a truck heading to space: what it carries determines the mission’s purpose, revenue potential, insurance needs and regulatory approvals. Investors track payload size, type and manifest because they affect a launch provider’s revenues, margins, schedule risk and long‑term business prospects.

air-launch technical

Air-launch is a method of sending a rocket or payload into space by releasing it from a carrier aircraft in mid-flight, rather than launching from a ground pad. Investors care because it can lower costs, reduce weather and range constraints, and enable faster, more flexible launches—advantages that can shorten delivery time, cut infrastructure needs, and affect a company’s competitive position and capital requirements in the satellite and small-launch market.

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Proposed Performance-Based Framework Could Expand Future Opportunities for Commercial High-Speed Flight Testing, Space Research and Future Spaceflight

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Starfighters Space, Inc. (NYSE American: FJET) ("Starfighters Space" or the "Company"), the space company operating the world's only commercial fleet of flight-ready Mach 2+ F-104 supersonic aircraft, today welcomed the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) proposed rule to modernize how civil supersonic flight over land is regulated in the United States. The proposal would replace the longstanding speed-based restriction with a performance-based certification framework that reflects advances in aircraft technology and noise mitigation.

The FAA's proposal represents a significant step toward replacing decades-old flight regulations with a modern approach based on measurable ground-level sonic overpressure rather than a blanket prohibition on civil supersonic flight. The proposed framework is intended to encourage innovation while maintaining public safety and environmental standards.

"As the operator of the world's only commercial fleet of flight-ready Mach 2+ aircraft, we view this proposal as an important milestone for the future of high-speed aviation," said Tim Franta, CEO of Starfighters Space. "We commend the Administration and the FAA for advancing policies that encourage American space innovation while maintaining a strong commitment to safety."

Starfighters Space currently conducts authorized supersonic flight operations under existing regulations. The Company believes a modernized regulatory framework would create new opportunities for commercial customers seeking real-world high-speed flight environments for research, technology development, training, testing and validation.

The proposal also comes as the space industry continues to explore commercial supersonic and hypersonic flight-test capabilities, including concepts for dedicated test corridors over sparsely populated regions such as those surrounding Midland International Air & Space Port in West Texas. If developed, such a corridor could expand access to inland air-launch of orbital payloads and high-speed flight testing for commercial space companies, government agencies, universities, and defense organizations.

"Starfighters Space has long believed reusable airborne platforms can play an important role in accelerating space innovation," Franta added. "As demand continues to grow for hypersonic technologies, advanced propulsion systems, and next-generation sensors, a modern regulatory framework can help support continued investment in commercial flight testing while reinforcing America’s leadership in space."

The Company intends to participate in the FAA's public rulemaking process and looks forward to working with regulators, industry stakeholders, and research organizations as the proposed framework advances. Starfighters believes performance-based regulations can support continued innovation while preserving the highest standards of public safety.

About Starfighters Space, Inc.

Starfighters Space, Inc. is a space company focused on high-speed flight operations, hypersonic testing, space research, pilot training, and future air-launch space capabilities. Operating from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, and at the Midland Air and Space Port in Texas, the Company maintains the world’s only commercial fleet of flight-ready F-104 supersonic aircraft capable of sustained Mach 2+ operations.

Starfighters Space is advancing STARLAUNCH, its responsive airborne launch platform designed to support commercial, government, research, and national security-related missions. The Company’s operational capabilities include payload deployment, airborne space testing, microgravity and high-speed flight environments, and reusable airborne launch infrastructure designed to support the evolving commercial space economy.

For more information, visit Starfighters Space.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable United States securities laws. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or the Company’s future financial or operational performance and may include statements regarding the proposed rule changes by the FAA relating to the regulation of supersonic flights, infrastructure expansion, mission readiness activities, commercial space development, hypersonic testing capabilities, future launch operations, operational scaling, and broader space market opportunities.

These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, risks associated with the completion of the financing transaction, regulatory approvals, launch licensing requirements, operational execution, development timelines, competitive market conditions, customer adoption, capital requirements, space and defense industry conditions, government contracting risks, macroeconomic conditions, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the SEC.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260708786471/en/

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Source: Starfighters Space, Inc.