France Conducts Second Launch of SyLEx Missile to Test Hypersonic Technologies

Another successful test launch of the new SyLEx (Système de Lancement d’Expériences) research rocket has taken place in France.

Catherine Vautrin, the French Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs, announced the successful launch.

The test was conducted by specialists from the Direction générale de l’armement (DGA) at the Biscarrosse test range.

The main objective of the launch is to test new technologies in the upper atmosphere for France’s nuclear deterrence system and hypersonic weapons.

The SyLEx rocket, developed by ArianeGroup, restores France’s sovereign capability to conduct suborbital research flights lost several decades ago.

SyLEx Specifications

The single-stage rocket is 10 metres long and 0.7 metres in diameter. It can carry up to 300 kg of research equipment.

The two-stage version will be 15 metres long and will be capable of carrying up to 600 kg to an altitude of 200–400 km.

The rocket serves as a dedicated test platform for evaluating avionics, materials used during atmospheric re-entry, and hypersonic gliders.

The launch took place less than a month after the test of the M51.3 ballistic missile from the Le Vigilant submarine and enabled a series of experiments to support the development of its next version, the M51.4.

With its own SyLEx research rocket, France will be able to conduct such tests independently, without relying on foreign carriers.

The rocket was first tested on the night of November 28, 2025.

In particular, it allowed to verify a critical stage of the launch and track the onboard demonstrator using radar and telemetry equipment.