The FAA has issued a Special Airworthiness Certificate in the Experimental Category to Hermeus’ unmanned Quarterhorse Mk 2.1, authorizing supersonic flight testing over White Sands Missile Range. This clearance enables an expanded test campaign at Spaceport America in New Mexico, targeting sustained Mach 1+ speeds at altitudes above 30,000 feet.
The certification follows the aircraft’s first subsonic flight on March 2, 2026, marking Hermeus’ second inaugural flight in under a year. Powered by a Pratt & Whitney F100 engine, Mk 2.1 validates autonomous controls and high-speed design in this rapid-development program.
Hermeus, based in Atlanta, collaborated with FAA engineers for a year during design, build, and inspection phases. The approval supports up to seven test flights by year-end, advancing toward hypersonic capabilities with Mk 3 by 2030.
This milestone accelerates U.S. supersonic and hypersonic progress, enabling reusable vehicles to surpass Mach 5 for defense and commercial applications. Testing occurs within controlled airspace, prioritizing safety and data for operational scalability.