Hermeus flies supersonic-capable drone prototype in first flight test

Hermeus, a US aerospace startup, has successfully completed the first flight test of its latest high-speed unmanned aircraft prototype, the Quarterhorse Mk 2.1. Roughly the size of an F-16 and powered by a modified Pratt & Whitney F100 turbofan engine, this aircraft is three times larger and four times heavier than its predecessor, the Mk 1. The initial flight, conducted at subsonic speeds from Spaceport America on March 2, 2026, marks the beginning of a test campaign aimed at gradually expanding the aircraft’s performance envelope to reach supersonic speeds. This iterative development approach contrasts with traditional decades-long timelines, emphasizing rapid testing and refinement of critical systems such as aerodynamics, propulsion integration, and flight controls. The Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 features a delta-wing design optimized for supersonic flight and incorporates a variable air inlet system to maintain stable airflow at increasing speeds. Hermeus plans to use this platform to validate core technologies