AP
Hermeus is developing reusable hypersonic aircraft for defense and commercial applications. Its Quarterhorse line is a series of uncrewed test aircraft demonstrating high-speed takeoff, landing, and supersonic flight; Darkhorse is a planned multi-mission reusable hypersonic uncrewed aerial system using a turbine-based combined cycle (TBCC) propulsion architecture combining a modified Pratt & Whitney F100 turbofan with a ramjet for speeds up to Mach 5. The long-term roadmap targets hypersonic passenger aircraft.
Hermeus is developing reusable hypersonic aircraft for defense and commercial applications. Its Quarterhorse line is a series of uncrewed test aircraft demonstrating high-speed takeoff, landing, and supersonic flight; Darkhorse is a planned multi-mission reusable hypersonic uncrewed aerial system using a turbine-based combined cycle (TBCC) propulsion architecture combining a modified Pratt & Whitney F100 turbofan with a ramjet for speeds up to Mach 5. The long-term roadmap targets hypersonic passenger aircraft.
Founded in November 2018 in Atlanta by AJ Piplica, Glenn Case, Skyler Shuford, and Mike Smayda. The four had previously worked together at Generation Orbit Launch Services, where Piplica was CEO and the others served as technical directors leading development of the X-60A hypersonic rocket-plane for the U.S. Air Force. The founding team also includes alumni from SpaceX and Blue Origin.
Hermeus closed $350M in Series C financing led by Khosla Ventures, comprising $200M in equity and $150M in debt, with participation from Canaan Partners, Founders Fund, RTX Ventures, Bling Capital, and In-Q-Tel.
Hermeus flew its F-16-sized Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 uncrewed aircraft for the first time at Spaceport America, beginning a campaign toward supersonic flight. The aircraft is powered by a Pratt & Whitney F100 engine.
Hermeus began flight-test operations at Spaceport America in New Mexico, expanding its test footprint beyond Edwards AFB.
Hermeus flew its uncrewed Quarterhorse Mk 1 test aircraft for the first time at Edwards AFB. Powered by a GE J85 engine, the aircraft demonstrated high-speed takeoff and landing; the program went from clean sheet to flight-ready in 204 days.
Hermeus completed the Quarterhorse Mk 1 ground-test campaign at Edwards Air Force Base, clearing the aircraft for first flight.
Hermeus rolled out the Quarterhorse Mk 1, the first in a series of uncrewed test aircraft designed to lead toward a reusable hypersonic aircraft.
Hermeus raised a $100M Series B led by Sam Altman, building on prior backing from Khosla Ventures and Canaan Partners.
The U.S. Air Force and venture investors jointly funded a $60M effort with Hermeus to develop and test-fly an unmanned hypersonic aircraft and propulsion systems, via AFLCMC and AFRL.
Hermeus closed a $16M Series A led by Canaan Partners with participation from Khosla Ventures, Bling Capital, and the Rise of the Rest Seed Fund.
Hermeus announced seed funding led by Khosla Ventures along with an advisory board for its hypersonic aircraft program.
Co-Founder & Chief Technologist
Focuses on propulsion and structural systems. Previously at Blue Origin and a technical director at Generation Orbit working on the X-60A. Graduate research in mechanical engineering at Purdue University.
Co-Founder & President
Oversees cross-disciplinary integration with expertise in avionics, software, and guidance, navigation, and control. Previously a technical director at Generation Orbit on the X-60A, with prior roles at SpaceX, Northrop Grumman, and Aerojet.
Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer
Previously a technical director at Generation Orbit Launch Services, where he worked on the X-60A hypersonic rocket-plane.
$466M raised total
No H1B sponsorship data available for this company.