Business · Companies · 1 hr ago
Hermeus and Northrop Grumman to develop systems for unmanned aircraft
Hermeus and Northrop Grumman are joining forces to develop mission capabilities for future unmanned military aircraft in the United States.
Northrop Grumman will help design and integrate sensing, communications, navigation and command systems for Hermeus’ reusable, high-speed aircraft.
Hermeus says its modular system could let engineers add capabilities without changing essential flight controls, and that upgrades could take weeks rather than years.
The partnership comes as Hermeus develops its Quarterhorse aircraft, whose Mk 2.1 model reached Mach 1.21 on its third test flight over White Sands Missile Range airspace.
The company is developing the next model, Mk 2.2, and expects Mk 2.3 to follow as it uses test data to improve its designs.
The companies aim to combine faster aircraft development with established military technology to explore new unmanned aviation capabilities for U.S. forces.
Hermeus and Northrop Grumman are joining forces to develop mission capabilities for next-generation unmanned military aircraft.
Northrop Grumman will help design, develop, integrate and maintain mission systems for Hermeus’ reusable, high-Mach aircraft.
The work will cover sensing, communications, navigation and command-and-control capabilities.
Hermeus says its modular mission architecture could let engineers integrate new capabilities within weeks instead of years.
Hermeus’ Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 recently reached Mach 1.21 on its third test flight over White Sands Missile Range airspace.
- Who
- Hermeus and Northrop Grumman.
- What
- They will develop advanced mission capabilities and systems for unmanned military aircraft.
- When
- The agreement date is not stated. The article was published on 2026-11-12.
- Where
- The aircraft’s test flight took place over White Sands Missile Range airspace; the partnership’s location is not stated.
- Why
- The companies aim to combine high-speed aircraft technology with advanced mission systems for future U.S. military operations.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Hermeus’ earlier Mk 1 demonstrator made its first flight.
Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 made its maiden flight.
Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 reached Mach 1.21 over White Sands Missile Range airspace.
Hermeus began developing Quarterhorse Mk 2.2, with Mk 2.3 expected to follow.
- Partnership
- Hermeus and Northrop Grumman
- Flight speed
- Mach 1.21
- Test location
- White Sands Missile Range airspace
- Aircraft
- Quarterhorse Mk 2.1
- Development roadmap
- Three F-16-sized supersonic aircraft
- Published
- 2026-11-12