Hypersonic drone Quarterhorse Mk 0 breaks SR-71 record
Innovative non-flying car marks major milestone in quest to break speed record SR-71.
Hermaeusrenowned aerospace company has achieved a significant achievement by successfully completing testing of its first fully integrated vehicle, Quarter Horse Mk 0. Nicknamed the “dynamic iron bird,” this prototype proved its worth by testing all major aircraft subsystems under real-life test conditions.
He MK 0 represents the start of an ambitious program aimed at developing four aircraft quarter horsewith the ultimate goal of breaking the all-time airspeed record set by the iconic SR-71. Each of these aircraft will gradually become more complex, which will allow Hermaeus spread software risk across multiple vehicles and speed up the learning process.
What is most impressive about this achievement is the astonishing speed with which Quarter Horse Mk 0, which was designed and built in record time – six months. Additionally, all testing objectives were completed in just 37 days of extensive testing.
Objectives achieved include demonstrating steering using remote control and monitoring, assessing radio frequency (RF) latency and ground handling qualities of integrated systems, and demonstrating proper vehicle and cockpit health. in case the link is lost.
In addition, Human Factors and Pilot Steering and Control assessments were conducted in collaboration with external participants, marking a significant milestone in the history of the flight test team. Hermaeus.
Don KaderbeckVice President of Testing Hermaeuscommented, “The more the team works together and establishes a combat rhythm, the smoother the flight test will go.”
An approach Hermaeus in rapid and iterative design is essential to accelerating aircraft development within appropriate time frames for its customers. AJ PiplikaCEO and co-founder of the company Hermaeusstressed that “test campaigns measured in days, not months or years, represent the pace required to develop hypersonic technology and bring transformative aircraft to market.”
All these tests were carried out in Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) from Tullahoma, Tennessee. Hermaeus made a conscious decision to conduct these ground tests at a base in Air Forcewhich allowed direct interaction with regulatory and shooting authorities Air Force.
Development and testing Quarter Horse Mk 0 They embody the fundamental principles Hermaeus, which are based on rich hardware and rapid real-world testing. Now the focus is on Quarter Horse Mk 1first aircraft Hermaeuswhich is under construction and is expected to make its first flight in 2024, marking a major step towards the hypersonic aviation revolution.
The Quarterhorse Mk 0, Hermeus’s first fully integrated vehicle, achieves important milestones. It tested all of its subsystems in a real-life test environment, demonstrated remote steering capabilities, and assessed RF latency and ground handling performance. In addition, the safety of the ship and flight deck were checked, as well as human factors tests and pilot checks.
The Quarterhorse Mk 0 was designed and built in record time – just six months. This accelerated development underscores the efficiency and innovation of Hermeus’ strategy. Moreover, they completed all testing tasks in just 37 days, indicating an impressively fast pace of work.
The ultimate goal of the Quarterhorse program is to develop four aircraft, each with increasing sophistication, to break the airspeed record set by the SR-71. This ambitious program aims to revolutionize hypersonic aviation by spreading risk and accelerating training for each version of the aircraft.
Testing of the Quarterhorse Mk 0 took place at the Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) in Tullahoma, Tennessee. This location was intentionally selected to interface directly with the range and Air Force regulators, facilitating effective collaboration and precise regulation.
The Quarterhorse Mk 1 represents a significant advancement in the Hermeus project. This will be the company’s first aircraft, with its first flight scheduled for 2024. This aircraft marks a decisive step towards realizing Hermeus’ vision for hypersonic aviation, taking its innovation and development to new heights.