Hermeus Quarterhorse Soars: Supersonic Speed Trials Kick Off in New Mexico
On March 2, 2026, U.S. aerospace startup Hermeus celebrated a significant achievement in the race to develop next-generation supersonic and hypersonic capabilities. The company successfully completed the maiden flight of its Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 unmanned aircraft at Spaceport America in New Mexico.
The remotely-piloted aircraft, comparable in size to an F-16 fighter jet, is powered by a modified Pratt & Whitney F100 engine. It’s nearly three times larger and four times heavier than its predecessor, the Mk 1, which first took to the skies in May 2025. According to Hermeus, this makes it one of the largest unmanned aircraft ever built.
“Speed is the fundamental requirement for our flight systems and for our company,” said AJ Piplica, CEO and Founder of Hermeus. “We’re building and flying aircraft on timelines that match the urgency of the world we’re in. Today’s flight kicks off a critical flight test campaign that will ultimately get us to supersonic speeds.”
The Atlanta-based company has ambitious plans for the future. They intend to gradually expand the aircraft’s flight envelope, with the next iteration, Mk 2.2, expected to attempt breaking the sound barrier. The ultimate goal is to challenge the legendary Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird’s air-breathing speed record of Mach 3.32, achieved during the Cold War era.
Source: https://newatlas.com/aircraft/quarterhorse-2-1-takes-flight-beat-sr-71/