Hermeus「Quarterhorse」高超音速試驗機首飛成功，開啟超音速時代新篇章

Hermeus公司於5月27日在NASA斯坦尼斯太空中心（NASA Stennis Space Center）成功完成了「Quarterhorse」高超音速示範機的首次試飛。該機以噴射火箭助推和渦輪風扇發動機相結合的混合動力系統設計，目標突破1馬赫（約1225公里／小時）速度，並測試其結構耐熱與控制效能。

Hermeus創始人暨執行長阿姆里特·克勒（Amrita Kahlon）表示，此次飛行里程碑不僅是技術驗證，更為未來客貨兩用的高超音速飛行器開發奠定了關鍵基礎。Quarterhorse示範機長約6米，翼展4.5米，搭載自主研發的「Chimera」混合動力發動機，並整合先進的熱防護材料與飛行控制軟體。

此次試飛歷時約15分鐘，飛機在離地5公里高度進行亞音速爬升後，點火助推段推力推進至1.2馬赫，隨後順利滑翔降落。測試團隊收集了動力、結構與氣動數據，為下一階段更高速度試飛做準備。

Hermeus已與美國空軍、NASA及幾家大型航空承包商達成合作意向，預計在2026年進行更大體型的「Chimera-1」示範機試飛，並在2030年代中期推出首款商業高超音速客機。

🔍 三大觀察重點 | Three Key Takeaways

首飛驗證超音速技術突破
- Quarterhorse示範機成功達到Mach 1.2，證明Hermeus混合動力系統可支持高超音速飛行。
關鍵數據為未來示範機設計鋪路
- 收集的動力與結構數據將用於2026年更大規模Chimera-1示範機，推動商業化進程。
高超音速客機夢想邁出第一步
- Hermeus計劃2030年代中期推出首款商用高超音速客機，改變全球旅行格局。

📍 地理位置標示（GPS Coordinates）

NASA斯坦尼斯太空中心（Stennis Space Center, Mississippi）
- 緯度：30.3625° N
- 經度：-89.5930° W

Hermeus successfully completed the maiden flight of its “Quarterhorse” hypersonic demonstrator on May 27 at NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. The aircraft features a hybrid propulsion system combining rocket-assisted thrust and a turbofan engine, with the goal of surpassing Mach 1 (approximately 1,225 km/h) and testing its structural heat resistance and control capabilities.

Hermeus founder and CEO Amrita Kahlon stated that this flight milestone not only validates critical technology, but also lays the foundation for the future development of hypersonic aircraft for both cargo and passenger applications. The Quarterhorse demonstrator is approximately 6 meters long with a 4.5-meter wingspan, powered by the company’s proprietary “Chimera” hybrid engine, and integrates advanced thermal protection materials and flight control software.

The flight lasted about 15 minutes. After climbing subsonically to an altitude of 5 kilometers, the aircraft ignited its booster phase, accelerating to Mach 1.2 before smoothly gliding back to land. The test team gathered propulsion, structural, and aerodynamic data to prepare for higher-speed test flights in future phases.

Hermeus has signed partnership agreements with the U.S. Air Force, NASA, and several major aerospace contractors. It plans to test a larger-scale “Chimera-1” demonstrator in 2026, with a commercial hypersonic passenger aircraft projected to launch by the mid-2030s.

🔍 Three Key Takeaways

Maiden flight validates supersonic technology breakthrough
◦ The Quarterhorse demonstrator successfully reached Mach 1.2, proving that Hermeus’ hybrid propulsion system can support hypersonic flight.
Critical data lays groundwork for future demonstrators
◦ Collected propulsion and structural data will inform the 2026 flight of the larger-scale Chimera-1 demonstrator, advancing commercialization plans.
First step toward hypersonic commercial airliners
◦ Hermeus aims to launch its first commercial hypersonic passenger aircraft by the mid-2030s, potentially transforming global travel.

📍 GPS Coordinates | 地理位置標示