LOS ANGELES, — U.S. aerospace startup Hermeus and defence contractor Northrop Grumman have signed a strategic teaming agreement to develop advanced mission capabilities for high-speed autonomous military aircraft. Announced on November 12, the partnership will combine Hermeus’ Quarterhorse aircraft with Northrop Grumman’s mission systems.
Under the agreement, Northrop Grumman will design, develop and integrate sensors, communications, navigation, command and control, autonomy and electronic warfare systems into Hermeus’ next-generation unmanned aircraft. The collaboration will use Hermeus’ open-architecture Mission Management System (MMS), based on U.S. government standards, to support faster hardware and software upgrades as military requirements change.
Hermeus Quarterhorse Development
Hermeus has been developing its reusable Quarterhorse aircraft series to demonstrate high-speed unmanned flight. The Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 reached Mach 1.21 during a test flight in May 2026 and later demonstrated high-speed payload separation.
The company began flight testing the Mk 2.2 in September 2026. This variant features upgraded avionics, additional fuel capacity and the Gryphon propulsion system, designed to support flight beyond Mach 2. Hermeus is also developing Ramjet-X, an expendable ramjet-powered test vehicle designed for air launch from Quarterhorse aircraft.
Looking ahead, the planned Quarterhorse Mk 3 is expected to use the Chimera turbine-based combined-cycle (TBCC) engine, which is intended to support near-hypersonic flight.
U.S. Military Funding and Potential Applications
Hermeus is also working with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and U.S. military services. In May 2026, its DIU contract ceiling increased to $219 million to demonstrate high-Mach flight and high-speed payload release.
The aircraft could eventually support intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), electronic warfare, high-speed payload delivery and strike missions. Hermeus has also presented a future mission-aircraft concept featuring multiple underwing hardpoints and a centreline payload station.
The partnership does not include a confirmed production order or a fixed delivery schedule. Instead, it focuses on integrating Northrop Grumman's military mission systems into Hermeus' high-speed aircraft to accelerate the development of autonomous platforms for the U.S. military.
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