Stratolaunch completes second hypersonic test flight with Talon-A2 vehicle in California; aerospace company achieves speeds over Mach 5 in March 2025 mission

From record-breaking speed in the stratosphere to clean propulsion in the harbor, California is powering the future of manufacturing. This week’s Manufacturing Minute powered by Tri Tool Technologies features Marine Group Boat Works’ electrification of its diesel yard tug, Stratolaunch’s successful reusable hypersonic flight, and Siemens Healthineers’ $150 million investment to expand U.S. operations and relocate production from Mexico to California.

These developments underscore the state’s leadership in sustainability, aerospace, and advanced medical technology.

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Marine Group Boat Works Launches First Electric Yard Tug 

First, Marine Group Boat Works (MGBW), a family-owned shipbuilder based in Chula Vista, California, has completed San Diego’s first conversion of a diesel yard tugboat to fully electric propulsion. The tug, MARCO V, was retrofitted with a state-of-the-art electric operating system, offering comparable performance to diesel engines while producing zero emissions. This initiative demonstrates MGBW’s commitment to sustainability, complementing its already electric-heavy fleet and upcoming 750kW solar installation—set to make it the only solar-powered boatbuilder in California. With over 2,000 labor hours invested in the project, MARCO V now serves as a working model for scalable, cost-effective electric tug repowers, advancing California’s goal for zero-emission propulsion systems by 2035.

Stratolaunch, an aerospace company headquartered in California, has successfully completed its second hypersonic test flight and recovery with the Talon-A2 (TA-2) vehicle, confirming its reusability and performance at speeds exceeding Mach 5. The March 2025 mission builds on the success of a similar flight and recovery in December 2024, further advancing the U.S.’s capacity for reusable hypersonic systems since the end of the X-15 program in 1968. Conducted in partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense’s MACH-TB program and Leidos, these test flights are designed to accelerate hypersonic development timelines. CEO Dr. Zachary Krevor praised the team’s achievements, which included executing multiple Roc and Talon-A test flights within a single year.

Finally, Siemens Healthineers announced a $150 million investment to expand its U.S. operations, including relocating manufacturing for its radiation oncology unit, Varian, from Mexico to Palo Alto, California. The move is expected to create 50 new jobs and simplify the company’s supply chain, especially as it faces tariff pressures from both European and Mexican imports. In addition to this relocation, Siemens is investing $141 million in a new Experience Center in North Carolina to strengthen research and innovation efforts in the U.S. These investments are part of the company’s strategy to mitigate international trade impacts and respond more efficiently to demand for its advanced radiotherapy solutions.