Atlanta-Based Startup Shows Off First Hypersonic Airplane
Hermeus, an Atlanta-based startup, has unveiled its first flight vehicle, marking a significant step towards developing hypersonic aircraft capable of flying at least Mach 5, or 3,836 miles per hour. Unlike traditional hypersonic aircraft that require rocket engines and a larger aircraft for launching, Hermeus is developing two hypersonic aircraft with jet engines that can take off and land from runways. One of these aircraft, Darkhorse, is an uncrewed, reusable drone for the military, while the other, Halcyon, is a commercial passenger plane designed to significantly reduce flight times, potentially cutting the standard 7-hour flight between New York and London down to just 90 minutes