Hermeus, a startup specializing in hypersonic aircraft, has received official clearance from the US Federal Aviation Administration to operate non-military test flights exceeding Mach 1. The approval covers flights of the company’s experimental Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 aircraft, which will be conducted over the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico at altitudes of 30,000 feet or higher.
This certification marks a significant step toward Hermeus' goal of achieving operational hypersonic flight capabilities before 2030. The aircraft, powered by a Pratt & Whitney F100 fighter jet engine, first flew in a subsonic configuration on March 2, and subsequent testing will focus on validating its design and autonomous control systems at high speeds.
Future Development and Testing Plans
Hermeus plans to develop a reusable vehicle capable of breaking the M5 hypersonic barrier, with a more advanced design called Quarterhorse Mk 3. This next-generation aircraft is expected to feature combined turbofan and dual-mode ramjet propulsion systems, capable of handling take-off, subsonic, supersonic, and hypersonic flight regimes. The current aircraft is part of a series with variants planned to push toward higher Mach speeds, with the Mk 2.2 expected to reach further into the Mach 5 range.
“Subsequent phases like… will continue to push toward Hermeus’ end goal of unlocking sustained ramjet-powered flight and delivering operational hypersonic capability for the United States this decade,” stated the company.
Following the recent FAA approval, Hermeus submitted a petition in January seeking authorization for up to seven test flights by the end of 2026. The company also announced plans to move its headquarters to Los Angeles, focusing the Atlanta facility on aircraft production.
