Hermeus Corp. conducted the first flight of the experimental Quarterhorse Mk 1 UAV

Quarterhorse Mk 1 UAV

The American company Hermeus Corp. He is going to create a hypersonic unmanned aerial vehicle. In order to find and develop the necessary solutions, she is developing experimental UAVs of the Quarterhorse series. Recently, one of the prototypes of this family made its first flight. Now he will have to demonstrate a number of technologies and solutions that can be used in the design of hypersonic UAVs in the future.

On May 27, 2025, Hermeus announced the launch of flight tests of the experimental Quarterhorse Mk 1 UAV. The first flight took place at Edwards Air Force Base. A strip laid on the bottom of a dried-up lake was used for take-off and landing. Under the control of the operator, the drone performed a takeoff and takeoff, after which it flew over the base and landed. During the first flight, the operation of all major systems was checked, from the control devices to the propulsion system. The development company reports that all the UAV systems have done their job and confirmed the design characteristics. The device completed the flight mission without significant comments. Following the results of the flight, Hermeus Corp. I published an official press release and attached a short demo video to it. It was hit by the takeoff, a few seconds of flight, and the landing of the drone. Unfortunately, the video does not allow us to draw all the necessary conclusions.

Testing of the Quarterhorse Mk 1 product will continue in the near future. The development company plans to establish all the exact characteristics of the UAV, test some solutions, etc. Then the test experience will be used in the development and improvement of new UAV series. Hermeus notes the great importance of the first flight and flight tests in general. These events should pave the way for the further development of the Quarterhorse project and help achieve its ultimate goal. The result of the work will be the appearance of a full-size hypersonic UAV.

Hermeus Corp. She started her business from Atlanta (Georgia) in 2018. Its founders were former employees of a number of aircraft manufacturing organizations. Their goal was to create unmanned aerial platforms with super- and hypersonic flight speeds. In the late 1980s, the company began developing two ambitious projects. The first involved the creation of a series of experimental UAVs, including hypersonic ones. He received the name Quarterhorse (a horse participating in a quarter-mile race). At the same time, they began to develop the Chimera engine for such UAVs. Until the early twenties, Hermeus was engaged only in theoretical research and preliminary study of future technology. In addition, the first tests were conducted. For example, at the end of 2021, a prototype UAV was built to test the engine. Externally and in design, it differed from other prototypes, but it coped with its tasks. At the turn of the decade, the company began developing a prototype Quarterhorse Mk 0 product. In fact, it was a UAV with a number of necessary systems, but without a wing and other components. It was intended for ground testing, including taxiing and high-speed runway runs. In January 2024, the "zero version" UAV was delivered to one of the airfields of the US Air Force for testing. The device showed the necessary characteristics on the ground. He could perform a run-up, maintained stability and showed the necessary controllability. The tests of the Mk 0 product were considered successful.            During this period, a full-fledged Quarterhorse Mk 1 flight UAV was being developed. Unlike its predecessor, it had to get all the necessary planes, controls, etc. The assembly of such a drone was completed in early spring 2024. Over the next few months, it was planned to conduct training and begin ground tests. In addition, the first flight was expected before the end of the year. For unknown reasons, work on the Mk 1 Quarterhorse UAV was delayed for several months. The first flight was carried out only now, in May 2025. Nevertheless, such deadlines are considered a reason for pride. The development and preparation for the tests took minimal time.

The current Mk 1 prototype is capable of flying, but has limited performance. To simplify the design, reduce the cost of production and reduce technical risks, it was made subsonic. However, even in this configuration, an experienced UAV should show the operation of all systems and confirm the correctness of the chosen solutions. According to known information, Hermeus Corp. It is already developing a new experimental UAV, which has received the Quarterhorse Mk 2 index. It will be similar to the existing flight prototype, but will be able to show a higher flight speed. The Mk 2 will have to overcome the sound barrier and accelerate to 3M.

Earlier it was reported that the construction of the supersonic Quarterhorse could be completed by the end of 2025 at the turn of 2025-26. he will make his first flight. At the same time, the timing of the supersonic launch or demonstration of maximum speed has not yet been announced. They will probably depend on the success of the flight tests. Finally, following the results of the Mk 1 and Mk 2 projects, the Quarterhorse Mk 3 UAV will be created. It will be a hypersonic aircraft, and, as promised, "the fastest in the world." The development company cannot even give an approximate date for the appearance of such a product yet. Perhaps its tests will begin only at the end of the decade, and then the drone will be able to claim speed records.

Hermeus Corp. I have long revealed the appearance of the first prototypes, including equipment for flight tests. The general ideas of the following Quarterhorse series projects have also been published. All this information allows us to imagine what experimental UAVs look like, how they are arranged and how they will develop. The Quarterhorse Mk 0 product had only a fuselage with part of the main units and landing gear. Then, a full-fledged airframe was formed in the Mk 1 project. It is built according to the normal scheme and has a spindle-shaped fuselage with an air intake under the nose. A triangular wing of medium elongation and a swept tail of a normal layout are used. The size and weight of the UAV have not yet been reported.

Two experimental vehicles are equipped with General Electric J85 turbojet engines. With the help of such a product, the Quarterhorse Mk 0 can run along the runway, and the Mk 1 is capable of performing subsonic flight. At this stage, we decided to do without a fundamentally new engine. The Quarterhorse Mk 1 uses a remote control system that provides full control over flight and operation of the units. It includes video cameras, various sensors and actuators.

Hermeus Corp. She has already shown the design appearance of the future Mk 2 type UAV. It will be significantly different from the first devices. It will be made larger and built according to the "tailless" scheme with a triangular wing. The air intake will be moved from under the fuselage to the nose and equipped with a conical central body. This appearance will allow the drone to develop high supersonic speeds.

Thus, the company Hermeus Corp. She has set big and bold goals for herself and is now confidently moving towards them. Projects of new aircraft equipment and components for it are being consistently developed, prototypes are being built and the necessary tests are being carried out. A few days ago, the Quarterhorse project was successfully brought to flight tests of the first prototype. New flight prototypes are expected to appear over the next few years. Recent successes give the company reason for optimism. How justified it is will become clear in a few years.