In March 2021, American startup Hermeus unveiled the Quarterhorse Mk1, a new prototype for its high-speed unmanned jet aircraft. This aircraft marks a significant step towards the company’s long-term goal of building reusable hypersonic aircraft capable of traveling at five times the speed of sound or more.
The first aircraft produced by Hermeus, the Quarterhorse Mk1 will undergo test flights later this year at Edwards Air Force Base to assess its high-speed takeoff and landing capabilities. The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is collaborating with Hermeus to demonstrate the potential for high-speed mobility through this prototype.
The Mk1 is the second version of the Quarterhorse aircraft that Hermeus is developing with the aim of achieving near-hypersonic and reusable flight by 2026. Ground trials with the previous version, the Quarterhorse Mk0, were conducted last year.
AJ Piplica, founder and CEO of Hermeus, stated that the Mk1 was designed and built in just 204 days. Plans for the next version, Quarterhorse Mk2, are already underway, with an even faster engine expected to reach speeds of Mach 2.5 or more by 2025.
In addition to developing hypersonic aircraft, Hermeus is also working on two large-scale projects: Darkhorse, a multi-mission drone designed for defense needs, and Halcyon, a passenger plane expected to complete the New York – London route in just 90 minutes.
Piplica also mentioned that the successor to their commercially developed engine Chimera will be released sooner than expected. The Chimera currently powers the first Quarterhorse aircraft and its larger successor Chimera II will power Darkhorse aircraft.
Overall, Hermeus’ development of high-speed unmanned jet aircraft has significant implications for transportation and military industries alike as they continue to push boundaries in what is possible with technology and engineering innovation.
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