Latest news with #Hermeus
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
First Flight For Quarterhorse Prototype That Aims To Lead To A Reusable Hypersonic Jet
Aviation startup Hermeus has completed the first flight of its uncrewed Quarterhorse Mk 1, as part of its hypersonic test aircraft project. Hermeus aims to eventually build an uncrewed flight vehicle capable of beating the SR-71's absolute speed record for an air-breathing crewed aircraft — 2,193.2 miles per hour, achieved in 1976 — and then to explore the hypersonic realm, which is defined as anything over Mach 5. These objectives are still a long way off, however, and it appears that Quarterhorse Mk 1 won't explore supersonic flight. Announced today, the Quarterhorse Mk 1 first took to the air last week at Edwards Air Force Base, California, when it 'achieved stable flight and landed smoothly,' according to the company. A video released by Hermeus appears to show a takeoff and then a brief period in the air, followed by it setting down shortly after on the Edwards lakebed. 'Mk 1's flight validated our rapid, iterative approach to airplane development and advanced our mission to radically accelerate aviation,' Hermeus added. Among the byproducts of this approach is the relatively 'rough' external finish of the Mk 1 aircraft. A first flight for the Mk 1 flying prototype had been planned for some time toward the end of 2024. It's unclear why this timeline slipped. The Mk 1 was preceded by a 'dynamic iron bird' test rig, also known as Quarterhorse Mk 0, which you can read more about here. This non-flying prototype was used to validate major aircraft subsystems, including in taxi runs at the Air Force's Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) in Tullahoma, the project, Hermeus has stressed rapid, iterative development and prototyping. The non-flying Quarterhorse Mk 0 was built in just six months, and all its test objectives were completed in 37 days of testing. Now, with the Mk 1, Hermeus says it went 'from clean sheet to flight-ready' in a little over a year. As part of this effort, the company is building four Quarterhorse aircraft of successively greater complexity and scope. The Mk 1 aircraft flown last week was built to verify takeoff and landing of an uncrewed aircraft in this configuration, and is not apparently planned to trial high-speed flight. It is powered by a General Electric J85 turbojet, as used in the Air Force's T-38 Talon jet trainer, for example. Other aspects of the flight-test program for the Quarterhorse Mk 1 are examining aerodynamics, stability, and control. Testing of the Mk 1 is also intended to validate various subsystems, including propulsion, fuel systems, hydraulics, power, thermal management, avionics, flight software, telemetry, flight termination, and command and control. The Mk 1 will be followed by the Quarterhorse Mk 2, intended to reach supersonic speeds below Mach 3. Currently, the Mk 2, which will be around the same size as an F-16, is in production at Hermeus' headquarters in Atlanta. The company says it should fly before the end of this year. This will be powered by a Pratt & Whitney F100 turbofan engine, also used in the F-16. Finally, Quarterhorse Mk 3 will hit speeds beyond Mach 3 and, as Hermeus states, 'demonstrate turbojet-to-ramjet mode transition in flight and break the all-time airspeed record held by the SR-71.' Notably, the Mk 1 that is now embarking on the flight-test program is not the same vehicle as the 'prototype' that Hermeus rolled out in November 2021, as The War Zone reported at the time. This vehicle lacked any obvious flight control surfaces or landing gear, but did feature a functioning engine with afterburner, as seen in the video embedded here. At the heart of the Quarterhorse series will be a so-called turbine-based combined cycle (TBCC) engine. This combines a ramjet or scramjet — optimized for very high speeds — with a more traditional jet turbine, which can be used for takeoff, landing, and other lower-speed portions of flight. You can read more about the specific advantages of a TBCC powerplant in this previous story. As with any high-speed aircraft program, especially one that aims to eventually explore the hypersonic realm, the challenges are great and the potential for failure is high. However, if all goes to plan, Hermeus' Quarterhorse series could feed into the Air Force's broader effort to explore potential future hypersonic and supersonic executive transport aircraft concepts. Beyond that, some of the various technologies that Hermeus is working on could be used in other applications by the U.S. military. In particular, Hermeus has pointed to the potential for its technologies to be used for missions including the transport of time-critical cargo and reconnaissance. For these applications, the company proposes what it describes as a 'mid-size autonomous aircraft.' In the past, the U.S. military has repeatedly shown interest in finding ways to rapidly deliver military cargo around the globe, and there have been persistent references made to a potential future hypersonic and strike reconnaissance aircraft. More modest proposals could see Hermeus providing a testbed for hypersonic technologies or even building surrogate hypersonic targets. Air Force interest in Hermeus' work has already been formalized. Hermeus received $60 million in funding from the Air Force and venture capital firms to support the Quarterhorse flight test program, the company announced in 2021. Hermeus has claimed that its Quarterhorse program is primarily aimed at commercial markets, with the potential of fielding 'the fastest reusable aircraft in the world.' While the idea of resurrecting supersonic passenger travel has long been tempting, it's so far failed to yield any practical hardware and has seen other startups fold. Whether the Quarterhorse series eventually leads to some kind of 'son of Concorde' is highly questionable, but there's no doubt that the military has expressed interest in at least exploring the potential of very high-speed uncrewed aerial vehicles. As well as the promise of performance, Hermeus' approach also reflects Air Force interests in the rapid development of iterative designs, an idea that has been around for a while, but which is now widely seen as critical to ensuring capabilities, and combat mass, especially when it comes to crewed aircraft, drones, and munitions. Hermeus uses the term 'hardware richness' to describe building multiple prototypes in quick succession, which should allow multiple aircraft to complete their full development cycles in a very short time period. If the company is able to master this, it could provide a way of churning out new (uncrewed) aircraft designs as a 'pace not seen in the U.S. since the 1950s.' Clearly, there are very many challenges that lie ahead if Hermeus is to succeed in bringing a reusable hypersonic aircraft to the hardware stage, and doing it quickly. In the meantime, we can now look forward to the first flight of the faster and more capable Quarterhorse Mk 2, planned for later this year. Contact the author: thomas@
Business Wire
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Hermeus Flies Quarterhorse Mk 1 at Edwards Air Force Base
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hermeus, a venture capital-backed aerospace and defense technology company specializing in high-speed aircraft, announced today the flight of its Quarterhorse Mk 1 aircraft. This milestone is a significant step in Hermeus' development of high-Mach and hypersonic aircraft. With this flight, Hermeus demonstrated a rapid development pace, advancing Hermeus' mission to operationalize hypersonic technologies. 'Mk 1 has redefined the pace of developing and flying new aircraft,' said Hermeus CEO AJ Piplica. Share 'Mk 1 has redefined the pace of developing and flying new aircraft,' said AJ Piplica, CEO and Co-Founder of Hermeus. 'I'm incredibly proud of what our team has accomplished. We've proven the viability of our iterative development approach. But this is just the start. We have much more to do as the bar rises for the next iteration.' Quarterhorse Mk 1 went from clean sheet to flight-ready in a little over a year. The primary focus of the test campaign was validate high-speed takeoff and landing of a large uncrewed aircraft. The aircraft's unique configuration — driven by high-speed flight — makes basic operations of takeoff and landing distinctly challenging. 'Industry partnerships continue to have an important role in the development and test of disruptive and innovative capabilities for our warfighters,' commented Major General Scott Cain, Commander of Air Force Test Center. 'The promise of routine hypersonic flight is an exciting capability for the joint team.' Data from the campaign has validated design and performance models, including aerodynamics, stability and control. Testing also validated performance of vehicle subsystems including propulsion, fuel systems, hydraulics, power, thermal management, avionics, flight software, telemetry, flight termination and command and control. 'The real-world flight data from Mk 1 provides significant technical value that we're rolling into our next aircraft,' said President and Co-Founder Skyler Shuford. 'Moreover, the team has accomplished this milestone on a challenging timeline while operating within the overall aerospace ecosystem — all to support rebuilding America's lost capability to quickly develop brand-new, full-scale jets.' Quarterhorse Mk 1 is the first in a series of uncrewed aircraft on Hermeus' iterative development roadmap. The approach emphasizes 'hardware richness' – building multiple prototypes in quick succession, allowing the team to take well-managed technical risk. The team is actively reviewing data and integrating lessons learned into Hermeus' next iteration, Quarterhorse Mk 2, currently being manufactured at Hermeus' headquarters in Atlanta. The scale of an F-16, Quarterhorse Mk 2 is a high-Mach aircraft designed to de-risk uncrewed supersonic flight. It is on-track to fly late this year. Hermeus is a venture capital-backed aerospace and defense technology company founded to radically accelerate aviation. In the near-term, the business is focused on building high-speed products that sustainably deliver asymmetric advantage to the Department of Defense and allied partners. Utilizing an iterative development approach to aircraft, Hermeus' high-Mach and hypersonic aircraft aim to deliver capabilities at a pace not seen in the U.S. since the 1950s.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Hermeus Flies Quarterhorse Mk 1 at Edwards Air Force Base
Quarterhorse Mk 1 flight redefines U.S. aircraft development pace and unlocks next steps toward hypersonic aircraft. EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif., May 27, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hermeus, a venture capital-backed aerospace and defense technology company specializing in high-speed aircraft, announced today the flight of its Quarterhorse Mk 1 aircraft. This milestone is a significant step in Hermeus' development of high-Mach and hypersonic aircraft. With this flight, Hermeus demonstrated a rapid development pace, advancing Hermeus' mission to operationalize hypersonic technologies. "Mk 1 has redefined the pace of developing and flying new aircraft," said AJ Piplica, CEO and Co-Founder of Hermeus. "I'm incredibly proud of what our team has accomplished. We've proven the viability of our iterative development approach. But this is just the start. We have much more to do as the bar rises for the next iteration." Quarterhorse Mk 1 went from clean sheet to flight-ready in a little over a year. The primary focus of the test campaign was validate high-speed takeoff and landing of a large uncrewed aircraft. The aircraft's unique configuration — driven by high-speed flight — makes basic operations of takeoff and landing distinctly challenging. "Industry partnerships continue to have an important role in the development and test of disruptive and innovative capabilities for our warfighters," commented Major General Scott Cain, Commander of Air Force Test Center. "The promise of routine hypersonic flight is an exciting capability for the joint team." Data from the campaign has validated design and performance models, including aerodynamics, stability and control. Testing also validated performance of vehicle subsystems including propulsion, fuel systems, hydraulics, power, thermal management, avionics, flight software, telemetry, flight termination and command and control. "The real-world flight data from Mk 1 provides significant technical value that we're rolling into our next aircraft," said President and Co-Founder Skyler Shuford. "Moreover, the team has accomplished this milestone on a challenging timeline while operating within the overall aerospace ecosystem — all to support rebuilding America's lost capability to quickly develop brand-new, full-scale jets." Quarterhorse Mk 1 is the first in a series of uncrewed aircraft on Hermeus' iterative development roadmap. The approach emphasizes 'hardware richness' – building multiple prototypes in quick succession, allowing the team to take well-managed technical risk. The team is actively reviewing data and integrating lessons learned into Hermeus' next iteration, Quarterhorse Mk 2, currently being manufactured at Hermeus' headquarters in Atlanta. The scale of an F-16, Quarterhorse Mk 2 is a high-Mach aircraft designed to de-risk uncrewed supersonic flight. It is on-track to fly late this year. Hermeus is a venture capital-backed aerospace and defense technology company founded to radically accelerate aviation. In the near-term, the business is focused on building high-speed products that sustainably deliver asymmetric advantage to the Department of Defense and allied partners. Utilizing an iterative development approach to aircraft, Hermeus' high-Mach and hypersonic aircraft aim to deliver capabilities at a pace not seen in the U.S. since the 1950s. View source version on Contacts Melissa Price, Griffin Communications Groupmelissaprice@
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Hermeus notches first flight of Quarterhorse high-speed aircraft
Hermeus, a venture capital-backed firm building high-speed aircraft, flew its Quarterhorse vehicle for the first time last week at Edwards Air Force Base in California, the company said. The aircraft, dubbed Mk 1, is the second iteration of the Quarterhorse high-speed test platform and the first to take flight. Its May 21 flight test brings Hermeus a step closer to its goal of flying the autonomous, reusable vehicle at near-Mach 5 speeds by 2026. 'We've proven the viability of our iterative development approach,' Hermeus CEO AJ Piplica said in a statement Tuesday. 'But this is just the start. We have much more to do as the bar rises for the next iteration.' Hermeus had planned to fly Quarterhorse in 2023 and then pushed that date to last summer before eventually hitting the milestone this month. Still, the company touted its ability to go from a clean-sheet design to a flight-ready system in just over a year. The first flight test focused on validating Quarterhorse's ability to take off and land, which is a particular challenge for high-speed systems. Hermeus is feeding data from the first flight into its second test vehicle, Mk 2, which is currently being built at the firm's headquarters in Atlanta. That aircraft is slated to fly by the end of the year and reach supersonic speeds. It will also enable 'novel operational defense capabilities,' the company said. This early work will push Hermeus toward its larger goal of supplying high-speed platforms to both defense and commercial customers. The company plans to build one aircraft per year — an approach it hopes will position it to address the challenges that come with operationalizing a hypersonic aircraft. 'The company's approach emphasizes 'hardware richness' — building multiple prototypes in quick succession, allowing the team to take well-managed technical risk,' Hermeus said. 'While driving technical progress towards high-speed flight, this approach simultaneously enables Hermeus to rapidly develop its team and talent.' Hypersonic aircraft fly and maneuver at speeds of Mach 5 or higher. The Defense Department has several major programs to develop and field hypersonic weapons and vehicles — including the Air Force's Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile and the Army's Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon — and is interested in potentially using Quarterhorse to help test hypersonic technology. Along with funding from private investors, Hermeus received early backing from the Air Force Research Laboratory, which awarded the company a $1.5 million contract in 2020, followed by another $60 million deal the following year. The Defense Innovation Unit also chose the firm for its Hypersonic and High-Cadence Airborne Testing Capabilities program, which aims to increase flight test support for Pentagon programs. Piplica previously told Defense News he expects Quarterhorse to start supporting DOD test events in 2026, around when its Mk 3 vehicle rolls off the line.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Global Aerospace's Annual Jetstream Publication Offers Insights on What's Ahead for Aviation and Insurance
Aviation in 2025: Jetstream Explores the Challenges and Opportunities Morris Plains, NJ, Feb. 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aviation is both figuratively and literally a forward-looking field. Industry stakeholders, for whom being proactive is a way of life, often wonder what's ahead for our industry. While no one can predict the future of aviation, our extensive experience (we celebrated our 100th anniversary in 2024!) and deep immersion in this sector give us a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities ahead. Each year, we focus on a handful of the most interesting and enlightening topics in our Jetstream publication. We encourage you to check out the latest edition. It's a fascinating read packed with insights from industry experts and our observations. Below is a taste of what you'll find. Throttling Up on AAM The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) held the largest symposium in its 80-year history in September 2024. The 1,300 delegates from around the world were there to talk about the global standards needed to accelerate the development of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). Aviation experts from business and government discussed a wide range of topics focused on the convergence of traditional aviation and AAM, with the goal of moving toward what ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar referred to as 'a globally harmonized framework that encompasses every aspect of these new technologies.' Supersonic and Hypersonic Flight Take Center Stage While the Concorde was retired 25 years ago, the appetite for supersonic travel never went away. Today, multiple companies are leveraging new technologies (and creating their own) to develop safe, sustainable supersonic passenger jets. Boom Supersonic is one of the innovators leading the way, achieving successive milestones in a steady cadence. Also breaking new ground in this area is Hermeus, which is looking to operationalize hypersonic (5x the speed of sound) travel. At the same time, Stratolaunch is offering hypersonic flight test services to enable customers to reach Mach 5+ speeds in a routine and affordable manner with a reusable rocket-powered aircraft. Bumpy Ride? Climate Change May Have Played a Role. One of the many adverse effects of climate change is increased storms and the associated turbulence. Even more concerning is clear-air turbulence, which is difficult to forecast and impossible to detect with onboard radar. A recent study by researchers at the University of Reading confirmed that climate change is causing bumpier flights. However, efforts are underway to address this issue, including improved forecasting and new technologies for spotting turbulence. A Concerning Upward Trend in Ground Incidents When people hear the term 'aviation risk,' they often think of issues that arise while aircraft are airborne. However, the industry is seeing an upward trend in costly and dangerous ground-based incidents, from 'hangar rash' to collisions. Consequently, stakeholders are taking a closer look at what causes these incidents and what can be done to prevent them. Airlink: Getting Aid to Disaster Sites Faster When disaster strikes, getting help to the site as quickly as possible is crucial. As everyone involved in humanitarian assistance efforts understands, supplies—no matter how plentiful—aren't 'aid' until and unless they reach the affected community. That's where Airlink comes in. This global humanitarian organization, which we're proud to support, is among the first on the scene in a crisis, helping people and communities survive, stabilize, and recover. Airlink flights have delivered more than 12 million pounds of supplies, transported 11,000 first responders, and been integral to assisting more than 46 million people worldwide. Enjoy the Latest Edition of Jetstream We hope you find that our Jetstream articles provide valuable background and context for conversations about some of the most significant issues and innovations affecting our industry. Get your copy of Jetstream today! About Global Aerospace Global Aerospace has a century of experience and powerful passion for providing aviation insurance solutions that protect industry stakeholders and empower the industry to thrive. With financial stability from a pool of the world's foremost capital, we leverage innovative ideas, advanced technology and a powerful synergy among diverse team members to underwrite and process claims for the many risks our clients face. Headquartered in the UK, we have offices in Canada, France, Germany and throughout the United States. Learn more at Global Aerospace Media Contact Suzanne Keneally Vice President, Group Head of Communications +1 973-490-8588Sign in to access your portfolio
