Hermeus, a US aerospace company specialising in hypersonic aircraft, has completed the first flight of its Quarterhorse unmanned aerial vehicle at Edwards Air Force Base in California.
The experimental version of the aircraft, designated as the Mk 1, conducted a high-speed test flight — its first time airborne — as part of the company’s ambitious plan to develop a fully reusable, autonomously operated hypersonic drone capable of approaching speeds of Mach 5 by 2026.
This successful flight test represents a key milestone in Hermeus’ efforts to push the boundaries of hypersonic technology. The Quarterhorse programme has attracted the attention of the US Department of Defense, which maintains several major initiatives focused on the development and deployment of hypersonic weapons and platforms.
