US aerospace manufacturer Hermeus has received regulatory approval to begin flight testing its latest unmanned aircraft, marking a key milestone in the company’s push to advance high-speed aviation.
The Atlanta, Georgia-based company secured a Special Airworthiness Certificate – Experimental Category (SAC-EC) from the Federal Aviation Administration for its unmanned Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 aircraft.
The certification follows a year-long collaboration between the company and the regulator to support the aircraft’s development, build and validation. With approval now granted, Hermeus has been cleared to begin its flight-test campaign as it works toward achieving supersonic flight.
Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 is the largest and most capable aircraft developed under the company’s Quarterhorse programme to date. The initiative is designed to accelerate progress in high-speed aviation by building and flying a series of increasingly advanced aircraft, with each iteration generating data to inform the next.
Iterative development approach
Rather than pursuing a single leap to hypersonic capability, Hermeus is taking an incremental approach—testing, learning and refining through successive vehicles. The Mk 2.1 platform represents a significant step forward in both scale and performance within that roadmap.
“We are thankful for the diligent work of the FAA,” said Jay Wagemann. “Their team conducted a rigorous inspection and gained real confidence in the aircraft; now, we will continue our flight test campaign, collecting vital data and pushing the limits of high-speed flight.”
Testing underway in New Mexico
Flight testing is already underway at Spaceport America, located within the airspace of White Sands Missile Range. The unmanned aircraft will be evaluated at progressively higher altitudes and speeds as part of the campaign.
The data gathered will play a critical role in shaping future designs as Hermeus continues its effort to develop operational high-speed aircraft.
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