Hermeus
Quarterhorse
The Quarterhorse, developed by Hermeus, is a revolutionary hypersonic transport that emerged from the company’s ambition to reshape long‑range flight. Conceived in 2021, the program built on the earlier Falcon and Pegasus demonstrators, and its first ground‑test flight took place in early 2024. By mid‑2025 the aircraft completed a series of powered‑hop trials, proving its ability to accelerate from zero to Mach 5 in under four minutes.
Key features include a lightweight carbon‑titanium composite airframe, a variable‑geometry inlet system, and Hermeus’s proprietary "Morpheus" scramjet‑augmented turbofan engine. The engine delivers thrust that can be throttled between conventional cruise at Mach 1.4 and sustained hypersonic cruise at Mach 5.5, while an advanced active‑cooling network protects critical structures from temperatures above 1,200°C. Integrated avionics provide autonomous navigation, adaptive flight‑control surfaces, and real‑time heat‑flux monitoring.
The Quarterhorse’s significance lies in its promise to shrink intercontinental travel times to under two hours, enabling point‑to‑point connections that bypass traditional hub airports. Its successful demonstration has spurred renewed investment in hypersonic commercial aviation, positioning Hermeus as a leading contender in the emerging market for ultra‑fast passenger transport. Industry analysts expect widespread adoption by 2030.
Key features include a lightweight carbon‑titanium composite airframe, a variable‑geometry inlet system, and Hermeus’s proprietary "Morpheus" scramjet‑augmented turbofan engine. The engine delivers thrust that can be throttled between conventional cruise at Mach 1.4 and sustained hypersonic cruise at Mach 5.5, while an advanced active‑cooling network protects critical structures from temperatures above 1,200°C. Integrated avionics provide autonomous navigation, adaptive flight‑control surfaces, and real‑time heat‑flux monitoring.
The Quarterhorse’s significance lies in its promise to shrink intercontinental travel times to under two hours, enabling point‑to‑point connections that bypass traditional hub airports. Its successful demonstration has spurred renewed investment in hypersonic commercial aviation, positioning Hermeus as a leading contender in the emerging market for ultra‑fast passenger transport. Industry analysts expect widespread adoption by 2030.
No images available
Classification
Production & History
- Units Produced
- 0
- First Flight
- 2024
- Service Entry
- 2024
Design & Classification
- Manufacturer
- Hermeus
- Developer
- Hermeus
- Operator
-
United States Air Force
- Wikidata ID
- Q104855455