Aerospace company Hermeus throws down the gauntlet with plans to build world’s fastest aircraft for US military

The company is reportedly working with the US Department of War to provide the US and allies with a durable, asymmetric advantage through high-speed capable aircraft.

“The open secret in aviation is that we’ve become so afraid of risk, we’ve analyzed our way out of speed… To those who want to build the fastest aircraft in the world; we’re hiring,” according to Hermeus co-founder and chief executive AJ Piplica.

“In three years, we built three vehicles across our locations in Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Jacksonville, and flew two new jets nine months apart in California and New Mexico.

“Everything we do is focused on a single, enduring idea: maximize speed of learning to build the fastest unmanned airplanes in the world that give our country the asymmetric advantage it needs. Then do it again and again.

“To achieve this, we’re expanding our prototyping footprint in Los Angeles with our new HQ in El Segundo, while Atlanta prepares for production and scale. Rapid iterative development is how we give our military asymmetric advantage that scales; one as sustainable as it is dominant.

“We're returning to the roots of American innovation; taking smart risks to rapidly advance our capabilities in aviation. Together these next milestones put us at an inflection point; poised to deliver on the promise of high-speed aircraft for the Air Force, Navy, and beyond.”

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Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 aircraft has previously received a special airworthiness certificate in the experimental category from the US Federal Aviation Administration earlier this year. The certificate gives Hermeus the green light for a flight-test campaign at Spaceport America in New Mexico within White Sands Missile Range airspace as the company works toward achieving supersonic flight.

“We are thankful for the diligent work of the FAA. 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,” according to Hermeus’ Director of Mission Operations, Jay Wagemann.

Robert Dougherty

Robert is a senior journalist who has previously worked for Seven West Media in Western Australia, as well as Fairfax Media and Australian Community Media in New South Wales. He has produced national headlines, photography and videography of emergency services, business, community, defence and government news across Australia. Robert graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Public Relations and Journalism at Curtin University, attended student exchange program with Fudan University and holds Tier 1 General Advice certification for Kaplan Professional. Reach out via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via LinkedIn.