The Weapons Research Establishment (WRE) commenced investigations into hypersonic aerodynamics around 1957. Wind tunnels and computer simulations at this time were inadequate to allow theoretical simulations so it was necessary to utilize a sounding rocket which was capable of achieving hypersonic speeds. This Hypersonic Research Vehicle (HRV) was designed and built at Woomera.

Initially the launch vehicle was called the 'Jaguar', but constant confusion with the Jaguar aircraft caused the WRE to rename the vehicle to the 'Jabiru'.

Variants

• Jabiru Mark 1
• Jabiru Mark 2 (also known as Aero Mach)
• Jabiru Mark 3

Jabiru rockets typically carried experiments which were mounted in the rocket head. These experiments were usually instumented models of different shapes.