Defense & Military
Hermeus Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 Achieves Supersonic Flight at Mach 1.21
Hermeus’s uncrewed Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 reached Mach 1.21, becoming the fastest unmanned aircraft in a rapid development milestone.
Hermeus Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 Achieves Supersonic Flight in Historic Milestone
On May 26, 2026, Atlanta-based defense manufacturers Hermeus announced a historic aerospace milestone: its uncrewed Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 aircraft successfully broke the sound barrier. Reaching a top speed of Mach 1.21 during its third test flight, the achievement marks the first time a privately developed, uncrewed aircraft has achieved supersonic flight.
The flight, conducted out of Spaceport America over the White Sands Missile Range airspace in New Mexico, underscores Hermeus’s rapid iterative development model. According to the company’s press release, the supersonic milestone occurred less than three months after the Mk 2.1’s maiden flight in early March 2026, and exactly 364 days after the first flight of its predecessor, the Mk 1, in May 2025.
This rapid prototyping approach aims to drastically shorten traditional defense procurement cycles. The program has drawn significant interest from the U.S. Department of Defense as the military seeks to counter near-peer adversaries with high-speed, uncrewed capabilities that can shorten response times in contested environments.
The Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 and the Path to Supersonic
Aircraft Specifications and Flight Details
The Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 is a remotely piloted aircraft roughly the size of an F-16 fighter jet. It features a delta wing design and a variable inlet, and is powered by a modified afterburning Pratt & Whitney F100 engine, the same engine family utilized in modern fighter aircraft like the F-16.
Hermeus notes in its release that the Mk 2.1 is nearly three times larger and four times heavier than the previous Mk 1 prototype. Despite this significant increase in scale and mechanical complexity, the company achieved supersonic flight on only the aircraft’s third test flight, cementing the Mk 2.1 as the fastest unmanned aircraft flying today.
A Hardware-Rich Approach
The speed of this development is a core component of Hermeus’s corporate strategy. Rather than relying solely on decades-long simulation and development cycles, the company employs a “hardware-rich” iterative approach. By designing and building physical aircraft in quick succession, Hermeus gathers real-world flight test data to rapidly refine its engineering.
“This flight demonstrates a pace of execution that is extremely rare in modern aviation. Our country’s ability to deliver new asymmetric military capability at scale depends on teams that can solve hard technical challenges quickly. That’s exactly what we’re proving with each test flights we conduct and each new aircraft we build at Hermeus.”
The above statement was provided by AJ Piplica, Co-founder and outgoing CEO of Hermeus, in the official press release.
Future Roadmap and Hypersonic Ambitions
Stepping Stones to Mach 5
While breaking the sound barrier is a major achievement, Hermeus’s ultimate goal is sustained hypersonic flight, defined as speeds of Mach 5 and above. The Quarterhorse program serves as a critical stepping stone toward this objective.
According to the company’s roadmap, the next iteration, the Quarterhorse Mk 2.2, is already under construction. This upcoming aircraft will utilize Hermeus’s proprietary “Chimera II” turbine-based combined cycle propulsion system. A subsequent Mk 2.3 prototype is also in the planning stages.
Darkhorse and Halcyon
The technologies validated through the Quarterhorse test flights will directly feed into two planned operational aircraft. The first is Darkhorse, a hypersonic military aircraft designed to operate in contested environments. The second is Halcyon, a proposed 20-passenger civil hypersonic jet that aims to reduce intercontinental travel to a fraction of current commercial flight times.
Corporate Restructuring and Financial Backing
Leadership Transition
Alongside its technical milestones, Hermeus recently announced a significant executive transition. Effective June 1, 2026, current President Zach Shore will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer. Founding CEO AJ Piplica will transition to Executive Chairman, where he will focus on long-term capital strategy, board leadership, and investor relations.
In a recent statement regarding the transition, Shore emphasized the company’s operational focus as it scales its testing programs:
“Hermeus is at an inflection point. We are currently running more parallel lines of effort than at any point in our history. My focus remains on delivering the capabilities the American warfighter needs by ensuring we execute on our flight campaigns and scale our business effectively.”
Financial Position
To support these intensive flight test campaigns, Hermeus has secured substantial financial backing. The company has raised over $500 million in private capital to date, which includes a recent $350 million Series C funding round, positioning it well for its upcoming hardware iterations.
AirPro News analysis
We view Hermeus’s 364-day turnaround between the Mk 1 and Mk 2.1 as a stark contrast to traditional aerospace development, which often spans decades. The successful Mach 1.21 flight validates the “hardware-rich” prototyping model that has become increasingly popular among new defense contractors. Furthermore, Piplica’s deliberate use of the historical term “Department of War” in the press release, noting that their customers are “paying close attention to how fast this program is moving”, signals a clear marketing strategy aimed at highlighting the urgent, tactical utility of affordable, attritable high-speed drones in modern geopolitical conflicts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between supersonic and hypersonic?
Supersonic flight refers to speeds faster than the speed of sound (Mach 1), which the Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 just achieved at Mach 1.21. Hypersonic flight refers to speeds of Mach 5 and above, which is Hermeus’s ultimate goal for its future aircraft.
Is the Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 a passenger jet?
No, the Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 is an uncrewed, remotely piloted test aircraft. However, the technology developed through this program will eventually be used in Halcyon, a planned 20-passenger civil hypersonic jet.
Sources: Hermeus Press Release
Photo Credit: Hermeus
Defense & Military
Do228 NXT Gains ARGOS-15 EO/IR Gimbal in GA-ATS Partnership
GA-ATS and HENSOLDT South Africa integrate the AI-enabled ARGOS-15 gimbal onto the Do228 NXT for ISR missions.
General Atomics AeroTec Systems (GA-ATS) and HENSOLDT South Africa have partnered to integrate the ARGOS-15 electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) gimbal onto the Do228 NXT, expanding the aircraft’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.
Announced in a press release on October 22, 2026, the collaboration pairs the short take-off and landing (STOL) performance of the modernized twin-turboprop with HENSOLDT’s artificial intelligence-powered, multi-spectral imaging system. The integration provides special mission operators with a new sensor configuration designed for maritime patrol, border surveillance, and search-and-rescue operations in austere environments.
Expanding special mission configurations
Mounted in front of the retractable main landing gear, the 15-inch ARGOS-15 gimbal provides the Do228 NXT with a 360-degree unobstructed view. The system features a single Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) design and incorporates multi-spectral sensors, including thermal, daylight, and short-wave infrared (SWIR) cameras.
HENSOLDT officially launched the ARGOS-15 at the Africa Aerospace and Defence Expo on September 19, 2024. The system utilizes artificial intelligence for object detection, classification, and tracking. It succeeds the ARGOS-II, which has been integrated onto 34 different platforms worldwide. HENSOLDT South Africa, which employs approximately 800 people across four sites and serves as the group’s largest industrial site outside of Germany, specializes in electronic warfare, optronics, radar, and spectrum management. The subsidiary developed the ARGOS-15 to support complex targeting and surveillance requirements.
The addition of the ARGOS-15 aligns with a broader strategy by GA-ATS to offer multiple pre-integrated sensor options for the Do228 NXT. In August 2026, the manufacturer announced a similar partnership with TRAKKA Systems to offer the TrakkaCam TC-375 as an integrated equipment option, allowing operators to select the sensor package that best fits their specific mission profiles.
Modernizing a proven STOL platform
The Do228 NXT is the next-generation iteration of the Dornier 228, a utility aircraft originally manufactured between 1981 and 1998. GA-ATS, a German subsidiary of United States-based General Atomics, acquired the rights to the aircraft in 2020. The company, based in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany, holds the type certificate for the Do228 and provides maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for the aircraft and NH90 Helicopters.
The updated NXT program features a glass cockpit equipped with Universal Avionics displays, a digital autopilot, and Honeywell TPE331-10 engines. The aircraft is designed to operate from unpaved or short runways, maintaining a minimum patrol speed of 78 knots and a maximum speed of 260 knots for short ferry times. The platform can sustain a maximum patrol time of eight hours, making it suitable for extended surveillance missions.
GA-ATS officially rolled out the first Do228 NXT demonstrator aircraft on June 8, 2026, in Oberpfaffenhofen. The aircraft subsequently made its international debut at the Farnborough International Air shows in July 2026. The first production Do228 NXT is scheduled for delivery to an undisclosed humanitarian group launch customer in early 2027.
AirPro News analysis
The integration of advanced, AI-enabled sensors like the ARGOS-15 onto legacy-derived STOL airframes highlights a distinct trend in the special missions market. Operators are increasingly seeking cost-effective alternatives to larger, jet-powered maritime patrol aircraft. By offering multiple pre-integrated gimbal options from suppliers like HENSOLDT and TRAKKA Systems, we see GA-ATS positioning the Do228 NXT as a highly customizable, turnkey ISR platform. This modular approach lowers integration risks for operators and allows the aircraft to compete aggressively for border security and humanitarian contracts where infrastructure is limited but sensor requirements are stringent.
Photo Credit: General Atomics AeroTec Systems
Defense & Military
Kratos TDI-J85 Engine Passes Multi-Config Flight Tests
Kratos validates TDI-J85 turbojet across three launch configurations, targeting 10,000 engines annually by 2029.
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions has completed a series of flight tests for its TDI-J85 turbojet engine across three distinct launch configurations, validating the propulsion system for a range of low-cost cruise missiles and unmanned aerial systems.
Announced in an October 12, 2026, press release, the tests demonstrated the engine’s viability in lugged launch, palletized launch, and surface-to-surface applications. The milestone aligns with the company’s aggressive manufacturing scale-up to meet surging military demand for mass-producible precision-strike capabilities.
Flight test validation and production scale-up
The recent flight tests evaluated the TDI-J85, part of the Kratos Spartan engine family, in diverse operational scenarios. By successfully deploying the engine via lugged launch, palletized systems, and surface-to-surface methods, Kratos aims to prove the platform’s adaptability for various tactical munitions and decoy systems.
“Our successful flight tests across diverse deployment methods prove the versatility and reliability of the TDI-J85 engine,” said Joseph Kovasity, Senior Vice President of Kratos TDI.
The technical validation coincides with a major industrial expansion. Kratos confirmed it has secured a 3,000-engine component order for 2027 production. The company is actively building out its manufacturing infrastructure to support an annual production capacity of more than 10,000 engines by 2029.
Kovasity noted that pairing operational success with high-rate manufacturing transforms the industry approach to affordable propulsion, demonstrating a commitment to delivering mass and capability at an unprecedented scale.
TDI-J85 specifications and the Spartan family
The TDI-J85 is a small turbojet engine designed to provide military-grade propulsion for tactical missiles and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). The powerplant produces up to 200 lbf of maximum sea-level static thrust. It also features an integral generator capable of delivering up to 1.5 kW of continuous power to host vehicle systems.
Kratos President and CEO Eric DeMarco positioned the Spartan engine family as a direct response to shifting military procurement priorities, which increasingly favor volume and affordability over exquisite, low-density platforms.
“Kratos’ Spartan Family of small turbojet engines for low-cost jet drones and cruise missiles is a recent example of the success of our strategy to make the internally funded investments necessary to deliver technology rich national security systems, products, hardware, and software at the right time, with the key performance, and in the high quantities demanded to rebuild the U.S. defense inventory,” DeMarco said.
Building the affordable mass supply chain
The development of the TDI-J85 traces back to 2020, when Kratos acquired small turbojet manufacturer Technical Directions Inc. (TDI). The acquisition brought specialized small-turbine expertise in-house, allowing Kratos to vertically integrate propulsion for its own UAS platforms and offer engines directly to prime contractors.
A key application for the TDI-J85 emerged on October 16, 2023, when The Boeing Company and Kratos signed a Memorandum of Understanding. Under the agreement, the TDI-J85 provides propulsion for Boeing’s Powered Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM). The Powered JDAM combines a standard 500-pound ordnance with a wing kit and the Kratos turbojet, creating a low-cost, long-range strike weapon.
Anticipating demand for systems like the Powered JDAM, Kratos announced on June 9, 2026, that it was initiating internally funded long-lead material procurement to support the 3,000-unit production run in 2027. The strategy relies on a fully domestic U.S. supply chain to avoid geopolitical bottlenecks and ensure rapid scalability.
AirPro News analysis
We view Kratos’ target of 10,000 engines annually by 2029 as a stark indicator of where munitions procurement is heading. Traditional aerospace prime contractors typically measure turbine engine production in the hundreds per year. Scaling to 10,000 units requires automotive-style manufacturing techniques and a fundamental departure from bespoke aerospace engineering. If Kratos can achieve this volume while maintaining the reliability demonstrated in the October 12 flight tests, the company will be uniquely positioned to dominate the propulsion market for the next generation of attritable, mass-deployed munitions. The idiosyncratic reference to the “Department of War” in the company’s press materials underscores a wartime-footing mentality that is increasingly driving internal investment decisions across the mid-tier defense sector.
Photo Credit: Kratos Defense & Security Solutions
Defense & Military
USAF Renews PTC Servigistics Contract for ESCAPE Program
The U.S. Air Force renewed its Servigistics contract with PTC to manage a $76 billion service parts network using AI.
PTC Inc. and the United States Air Force (USAF) have renewed a contract to utilize the Servigistics supply chain optimization platform, integrating artificial intelligence to manage a $76 billion global service parts network.
The agreement, announced in an October 15, 2026 press release, extends the military branch’s Enterprise Supply Chain Analysis, Planning, and Execution (ESCAPE) program. The latest phase of the partnership focuses on exception-based management to automate routine workflows and align inventory decisions directly with aircraft availability objectives.
Advancing the ESCAPE program with artificial intelligence
The renewed contract enables the USAF to deploy artificial intelligence and exception-based management tools across its logistics network. These capabilities allow supply chain planners to automate standard inventory workflows and focus their attention on critical interventions that directly impact fleet readiness.
Abigail Strobell, Deputy Chief of the USAF, emphasized the operational necessity of the software upgrade in managing global defense logistics.
“Readiness depends on our ability to anticipate requirements and make effective supply chain decisions in an increasingly complex operational environment,” Strobell said. “Our continued use of Servigistics enables us to build on the progress we have made in modernizing service parts planning and strengthen the supply chain capabilities that support aircraft availability.”
A decade of supply chain modernization
The relationship between the Boston-based software provider and the USAF spans nearly ten years. The military branch initially selected the Servigistics Software as a Service (SaaS) solution on January 31, 2017. At that time, the platform was tasked with optimizing a global supply chain encompassing over 5,000 aircraft and 650,000 individual items distributed across 1,500 locations.
The partnership deepened on January 18, 2022, when PTC announced a five-year expansion contract valued at up to $95 million. That agreement formally integrated Servigistics into the ESCAPE program, which is managed by the 3,000 personnel of the USAF Sustainment Center’s 448th Supply Chain Management Wing.
While the October 15, 2026 announcement confirmed the continuation of the ESCAPE program integration, PTC did not disclose the specific financial value or the exact term length of the renewed contract.
Broader aerospace and defense adoption
The USAF renewal highlights the established role of Servigistics within the aerospace and defense sector. Beyond the Air Force, the platform is currently deployed by the United States Navy and the United States Coast Guard to manage complex military logistics.
Major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and defense contractors, including Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Boeing, also utilize the software to optimize their service supply chains.
PTC employs over 7,000 people and provides digital transformation and product lifecycle solutions to more than 30,000 customers globally.
AirPro News analysis
The USAF decision to integrate artificial intelligence into the ESCAPE program illustrates a necessary shift in military logistics from reactive tracking to predictive management. Managing a $76 billion parts inventory across thousands of aging and next-generation aircraft requires processing data at a scale that manual planning cannot sustain. By shifting to exception-based management, we see the USAF acknowledging that human planners are best utilized for resolving critical bottlenecks rather than executing routine reorders. This contract renewal suggests that the Department of Defense views commercial off-the-shelf AI supply chain solutions as a faster route to improved fleet readiness than developing bespoke internal systems.
Photo Credit: PTC Inc.
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