Hermeus Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 Supersonic Plane. © Hermeus
Hermeus has flown its newest supersonic aircraft, the Quarterhorse Mk 2.1, its biggest and fastest vehicle so far. The aircraft moves the company closer to its goal of building the world’s fastest plane.
This first flight begins a testing phase that will eventually push the unmanned aircraft past the speed of sound.
About the size of an F-16 Fighting Falcon and powered by a Pratt & Whitney F100 engine (made by Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business), the Hermeus Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 is nearly three times larger and four times heavier than the previous version. It’s also much faster, making it one of the largest unmanned aircraft ever built.
Hermeus Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 Supersonic Plane. © Hermeus
The flight took place at Spaceport America over the airspace at White Sands Missile Range. The aircraft was controlled remotely from Hermeus’ ground flight deck, where the team tested its systems, handling, and procedures.
Hermeus Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 Supersonic Plane. © Hermeus
The Quarterhorse program follows a fast, step-by-step development plan. Hermeus quickly designs, builds, and flies multiple versions of the aircraft, each one faster and more advanced than the last. By using real flight data from every test, the company improves each new model, lowers risk, and speeds up development.
This “aircraft” is little more than a drone or air breathing missile. Even if it exceeds the SR-71’s speed record it won’t mean much because the SR-71 is a manned aircraft. Lots of missiles and drones can fly faster than it.