極音速無人機「奎特馬」成功首飛　推進未來5馬赫飛行革命

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Hermeus Flies Quarterhorse Mk 1(上圖取自官方網站)

美國新創航空公司 Hermeus 宣布，其所研製的極音速無人載具「奎特馬 Mk 1」（Quarterhorse Mk 1），已於5月21日在加州愛德華空軍基地完成首次試飛。
U.S. aerospace startup Hermeus announced that its Quarterhorse Mk 1 hypersonic uncrewed aircraft completed its first test flight on May 21 at Edwards Air Force Base in California.

本次試飛以測試起飛與自主降落穩定性為主要目標，結果顯示「奎特馬」在自主飛行與返場程序上均表現穩定，證實該機核心設計架構與機載系統均達到預期水準。
The test focused on evaluating the aircraft’s takeoff and autonomous landing capabilities. The Quarterhorse Mk 1 demonstrated stable performance throughout, validating key design components and onboard subsystems.

Hermeus表示，本機為全系列第二款原型，採用GE製J85發動機，目前僅用於亞音速與飛控測試；真正具備超音速能力的 Mk 2 型號，預定年底前亮相，將搭載F-100發動機以驗證3馬赫飛行能力。
Hermeus noted that the Mk 1 is the second prototype in its development series, powered by a GE J85 turbojet. The supersonic-capable Mk 2 variant, scheduled to fly later this year, will feature the Pratt & Whitney F100 engine and target Mach 3 flight tests.

其最終目標，是打造可達5馬赫以上速度的極音速無人機「Mk 4」，將搭載具「模式轉換」能力的渦輪聯合循環發動機（Turbine-Based Combined Cycle, TBCC）。
The long-term goal is to build a hypersonic drone capable of exceeding Mach 5, using a Turbine-Based Combined Cycle (TBCC) propulsion system with mode-switching technology.

這項設計將結合渦輪扇與衝壓噴射系統，並透過預冷器技術在高速飛行中穩定發動機運作，以因應高熱與超音速空氣流的挑戰。
This system combines turbofan engines for takeoff with ramjet propulsion for high-speed cruise, supported by a precooler to regulate thermal loads at hypersonic velocities.

目前 Hermeus 團隊正與美國空軍研究實驗室（AFRL）密切合作，未來希望藉由此機種的技術測試成果，推動軍民航太領域進入極音速世代。
Hermeus is working closely with the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to advance hypersonic development for both defense and civilian aerospace applications.