Hermeus, an Atlanta-based aerospace startup, is revolutionizing transportation with its new Mach 5 supersonic aircraft called Halcyon. This passenger jet has the ability to fly across the Atlantic Ocean in just 1.5 hours, significantly faster than the Concorde, one of the only two supersonic aircraft that has carried passengers in history. The Concorde flew at a maximum speed of Mach 2.04 in comparison.
The Halcyon supersonic aircraft has a range of 6,437 km and over 125 planned routes, allowing for non-stop transatlantic flights like from New York to Paris. However, for trans-Pacific routes like from Los Angeles to Tokyo, a stopover will be required due to the limited range. The aircraft cannot be used for domestic flights within lands as traveling at Mach 5 would generate loud sonic booms.
Hermeus’ unique jet engine design combines technologies from aviation and defense to enable the aircraft to achieve supersonic speeds. The engine features a hybrid design that switches between turbojet mode for subsonic speeds and jet mode for supersonic speeds. This new engine design will be first used on the Quarterhorse, an upgraded version of Hermeus’ second aircraft prototype scheduled to fly by the end of 2024. Co-developed with the US Air Force in a $60 million project, the Quarterhorse aims to demonstrate high-speed takeoff and landings. Following this, Hermeus plans to build the Darkhorse, an even more advanced version that can carry cargo. These prototypes will pave the way for the eventual launch of the Halcyon supersonic aircraft.
Overall, the development of the Halcyon supersonic jet by Hermeus holds promising potential for the future of high-speed air travel as it allows for faster and more efficient cross-ocean travel without requiring multiple stops or layovers.
