Hermeus’ Quarterhorse Program is actively unlocking unmanned high-speed flight. One program, four aircraft – each purpose-built to unlock a specific technical challenge, advance learnings, and incrementally de-risk critical technology in the pursuit of hypersonic aircraft.
High-Speed Flight Test Aircraft
QUARTERHORSE MK 2.1
The world’s first high-Mach remotely piloted aircraft.
Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 is about the size of an F-16, features a variable inlet, a delta wing design, and is powered by a Pratt & Whitney F100 engine.
Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 made its maiden flight at Spaceport America in February 2026, less than a year after Quarterhorse Mk 1’s first flight.
Next, it will fly supersonic.
QUARTERHORSE MK 1
Our first aircraft.
Quarterhorse Mk 1 is an uncrewed, remotely piloted aircraft powered by a GE J85 engine. Its primary mission is to demonstrate high-speed takeoff and landing – a key enabling capability unique to future hypersonic aircraft on the company’s roadmap.
Flight tests took place at Edwards Air Force Base in May 2025.
QUARTERHORSE MK 0
Our first fully-integrated vehicle.
This non-flying prototype acted as a ‘dynamic iron bird’ to validate all major aircraft subsystems in a real-world environment.
The development and testing of Quarterhorse Mk 0 epitomize our core tenets of hardware richness and rapid real-world testing.
