Double the Innovation

When Scaled Composites sets out to prove a point, they don’t just build one aircraft — they build two. Enter the Model 401 Sierra project: a pair of identical, clean-sheet demonstrators designed to showcase low-cost manufacturing, digital design, and advanced build techniques.

Each jet is flown by a single pilot, powered by a single turbofan, and optimized for medium-altitude ops. But the real magic was in the process. Scaled designed and built both aircraft side by side, turning lessons learned on the first directly into improvements on the second — a true masterclass in rapid innovation.

From concept to first flight in just 24 months, the 401s proved that agility and speed aren’t just in their flight profile — they’re baked into Scaled’s DNA. Vehicle 1 first flew in October 2017, with its twin taking to the skies just six months later.

Together, the Sierra pair are a testament to building smarter, faster, and better.