We've demonstrated turbojet to ramjet transition within our engine, Chimera. This is one of the most important technological feats to making operational hypersonic flight a reality.
Chimera is a turbine-based combined cycle engine (TBCC) – which basically means it’s a hybrid between a turbojet and a ramjet. The ability to switch between these two modes allows our first aircraft, Quarterhorse, to take off from a regular runway and then accelerate up to high-Mach speeds.
Our TBCC engine is unique in the field of hypersonics. Most hypersonic platforms are powered by a rocket engine. But this approach makes reusability much harder and inherently more dangerous for passenger flight.
By making a full-range air-breathing hypersonic engine that does not require a rocket to accelerate, Hermeus is setting the stage for operational hypersonic flight – meaning aircraft that can be rapidly re-used.
An additional benefit of this engine design is that it accommodates existing transportation infrastructure. Our aircraft are designed to be operational at traditional airports.
This is important not just for hypersonic testing, but critical given Hermeus’ goal of radically accelerating passenger travel through hypersonic flight.
With mode transition successfully demonstrated, the Hermeus team is now racing to manufacture the first Quarterhorse aircraft that will begin flight testing in late 2023.
