Is Increased Focus on Hypersonic Tech Opening New Doors for Rocket Lab?
In recent years, the rapid development and adoption of hypersonic technology across industries, from aerospace and defense to space exploration, have opened new growth avenues for Rocket Lab USA RKLB, a key player in hypersonic testing with its HASTE launch system. With commercial firms and government agencies ramping up investments in advanced hypersonic systems to bolster space access and national security, RKLB remains well-positioned to capitalize on this accelerating technological shift.
Notably, Rocket Lab's HAEST (Hypersonic accelerator suborbital test electron) is a suborbital testbed launch vehicle that provides reliable, high-cadence flight test opportunities needed to boost hypersonic and suborbital system technology development.
In April 2025, Rocket Lab secured a contract from Kratos Defense to conduct a full-scale hypersonic test flight for the U.S. Department of Defense.
Additionally, RKLB's HASTE platform has been included in two major defense frameworks — the $46 billion Enterprise-Wide Agile Acquisition Contract with the U.S. Air Force and the UK Ministry of Defence's £1 billion ($1.3 billion) Hypersonic Technologies & Capability Development Framework. These programs allow Rocket Lab to compete for launch and engineering services in advancing hypersonic technologies.
The inclusion across both U.S. and UK initiatives underscores the growing demand for HASTE in defense testing and is likely to significantly boost Rocket Lab's future revenue stream.
While HASTE has not yet won any purely commercial contract, its demonstrated reliability and cadence in the defense sector may soon open doors to non-defense payload opportunities.
Other Stocks Focusing on Hypersonic
As increased investment in hypersonic technology has become a global trend lately, with nations like the United States, the United Kingdom, and China significantly boosting funding for research and development in this tech, other stocks like Lockheed Martin LMT and RTX Corp. RTX are also indulging in advanced hypersonic technology developments.
Notably, Lockheed Martin has been developing highly advanced hypersonic technology for the past 60 years. To this end, the company is currently working in partnership with DARPA, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Army, and the U.S. Navy to transition hypersonic concepts to operational reality. LMT's Conventional Prompt Strike is a hypersonic boost-glide missile currently under development, which boasts the capability to provide longer range, shorter flight times, and high survivability against enemy defenses.
On the other hand, RTX is working across its business and domains to move advanced hypersonic capabilities from creation to testing and into the hands of warfighters at top speed. RTX is currently involved in the design of the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile, which leverages Northrop Grumman's scramjet propulsion to travel at more than five times the speed of sound and cover vast distances in minutes. The U.S. Air Force currently expects this missile to be operational by fiscal 2027.
The Zacks Rundown for RKLB
Shares of RKLB have surged 467.2% in the past year compared with the industry 's 40.9% growth.
The company's shares are trading at a premium on a relative basis, with its forward 12-month Price/Sales being 17.85X compared with its industry's average of 9.65X.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RKLB's 2025 and 2026 earnings has improved over the past 60 days.
RKLB currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Only $1 to See All Zacks' Buys and Sells
We're not kidding.
Several years ago, we shocked our members by offering them 30-day access to all our picks for the total sum of only $1. No obligation to spend another cent.
Thousands have taken advantage of this opportunity. Thousands did not - they thought there must be a catch. Yes, we do have a reason. We want you to get acquainted with our portfolio services like Surprise Trader, Stocks Under $10, Technology Innovators, and more, that closed 256 positions with double- and triple-digit gains in 2024 alone.
See Stocks Now >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT): Free Stock Analysis Report
Rocket Lab Corporation (RKLB): Free Stock Analysis Report
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
36 minutes ago
- CTV News
ADVERTISEMENT Video Hot Property for Thursday, June 19, 2025 The panel discuss newly released reports that indicate an increase in national home sales and a flattening of housing starts.
Video The panel discuss newly released reports that indicate an increase in national home sales and a flattening of housing starts.
Globe and Mail
an hour ago
- Globe and Mail
Why Nintendo Stock Surged Today
Nintendo (OTC: NTDOY) stock saw another day of big gains in Wednesday's trading. The company's share price gained 6.1% in the daily session and is now up 56.5% across 2025. Nintendo's gains today were driven by indications that demand for its recently released Switch 2 gaming console remains quite high. The Switch 2 quickly became the fastest-selling gaming platform in history following its release earlier this month, and the new system is powering a strong rally for Nintendo stock. Switch 2 continues to push Nintendo stock higher Nintendo released its Switch 2 platform on June 5, and the new console has gotten off to a fantastic start. The console, which launched at a $449 price point, sold more than 1.1 million units in the U.S. within its first week on store shelves. The performance was good enough to make it the most successful video game platform launch in history. On a worldwide basis, the Switch 2 managed to sell 3.5 million units in just four days -- a performance that also set a new sales record. Now, new shipments from Nintendo mean that retailers are restocking the red-hot console -- and reports suggest that the platform is continuing to quickly sell out. What's next for Nintendo? Nintendo appears to have a big hit on its hands with the Switch 2. Unlike some other console launches, the company did a commendable job ensuring that it had a lot of units produced -- but demand still appears to be significantly exceeding supply at some point. While there is some risk for investors that front-loaded demand for the new console may not provide a great indicator as to the platform's long-term performance outlook, the launch has clearly gone very well. Should you invest $1,000 in Nintendo right now? Before you buy stock in Nintendo, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Nintendo wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $658,297!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $883,386!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor 's total average return is992% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to172%for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of June 9, 2025
Globe and Mail
an hour ago
- Globe and Mail
The TCL NXTPAPER 14 Launches in The U.S. Available Exclusively on Amazon with Paper-Like Display, Powerful Performance, and All-Day Battery
TCL®, one of the world's best-selling and leading technology companies, today announced the debut of its highly anticipated TCL NXTPAPER 14 tablet on Amazon. Designed for artists, students, professionals, and entertainment enthusiasts alike, the TCL NXTPAPER 14 features an expansive 14.3-inch 2.4K paper-like display, powerful multitasking performance, immersive multimedia capabilities, and long-lasting battery life. To celebrate its launch, customers can enjoy instant savings of $60 for a limited time. A Seamless Fusion of Tablet, Drawing Pad, and Digital Notebook With its expansive 14.3-inch 2.4K display and support for the T-PEN stylus (sold separately), the TCL NXTPAPER 14 delivers a natural pen-on-paper feel with 4096 pressure levels, ideal for sketching, note-taking, reading, and streaming. No matter the use or the user, this device adapts effortlessly to a wide range of daily needs. NXTPAPER: Paper-Like Comfort with Advanced Eye Protection Leveraging TCL's proprietary NXTPAPER display technology, the screen offers a paper-like, glare-free viewing experience while minimizing eye strain with integrated blue light filtering, dynamic brightness control, and automatic adjustments through the built-in Eye Care Assistant. Adaptive brightness and color temperature respond to the environment, and usage patterns – promoting long-term eye comfort. The Right Display for Every Scenario with 3-in-1 VersaView With the dedicated NXTPAPER Key, users can instantly switch between three optimized display modes. Regular Mode offers crisp, vibrant visuals for streaming, video calls, and daily tasks. Ink Paper Mode transforms the screen into an e-reader-like display for extended reading and note-taking. Color Paper Mode delivers soft, low-saturation colors ideal for digital art, comics, and creative work. Powerful Performance Meets Multitasking Efficiency Driven by the MediaTek Helio G99 processor, 8GB RAM (plus 8GB virtual expansion), 256GB storage, and Android™ 14, the TCL NXTPAPER 14 delivers smooth multitasking for work and study. TCL's custom UI further enhances productivity with advanced features such as screen mirroring, floating windows, extended displays, and multi-window support. Extended Battery Life with Reverse Charging The tablet's high-capacity 10,000mAh battery offers reliable, all-day usage, supported by 33W fast charging for full power in as little as two hours. Reverse charging functionality allows users to conveniently recharge smartphones or accessories directly from the tablet. Enhanced Multimedia and Communication Capabilities Designed for the demands of modern communication and content creation, the TCL NXTPAPER 14 features dual front cameras (13MP + 5MP) and an 8MP rear autofocus camera, all capable of 2K video capture. Quad stereo speakers with Smart PA technology deliver rich, room-filling audio with up to 200% volume amplification for an immersive multimedia experience. Sleek, Lightweight, and Built for Everyday Durability Measuring just 0.27 inches thin and weighing 1.67 pounds, the TCL NXTPAPER 14 features a premium metal chassis for added durability. The optional Multi-Angle Flip Case (sold separately) offers adjustable viewing angles and complete protection, making the device an ideal companion for on-the-go users. Limited-Time Discount Starting June 20, 2025, the TCL NXTPAPER 14 will be available on Amazon US at a special limited-time price! The original price of $399.99 will be instantly reduced by $60, bringing the final sale price down to just $339.99. About TCL Electronics TCL Electronics, North America is an innovative consumer electronics leader and one of the top-selling manufacturers in the world. A globally recognized brand operating in over 160 countries, TCL combines cutting-edge research and development with a vertically integrated supply chain to deliver premium quality and value-added features across its diverse product portfolio. From advanced Mini LED televisions and immersive home audio to feature-rich mobile devices to energy-efficient home appliances, and next generation commercial displays, TCL designs products that enhance everyday experiences and put the power of technology in the hands of more consumers. For additional product information, please visit for the full portfolio. Media Contact Company Name: TCL Contact Person: Rob Manfredo Email: Send Email Country: United States Website:
