Hermeus, the developer behind the American Quarterhorse hypersonic drone, and Raytheon Technologies, the maker of the Patriot air defense system, were slated to run virtual avionics tests for a new aircraft set to begin flight tests in 2023. This information came from AIN and public reporting shared at the time.
The publication outlined a flight-simulation plan that would push the drone through Mach 5 conditions by evaluating its state across all degrees of freedom. In parallel, onboard systems would be exercised in abnormal operating modes to assess reliability and fault tolerance under stress.
While the target date for the actual aircraft’s first flight was 2023 in initial reports, the ground-test program was described as a stepping stone toward a system powered by a GE J85–based Hermeus combined-cycle turbojet engine. Developments in the program have continued to evolve, with updates typically emphasizing propulsion integration and robust avionics performance under high-speed regimes.
Earlier disclosures mentioned a prototype device from Hermeus with an overall length around 12 meters and a wingspan close to three meters. At Mach 5, the drone was projected to cover distances exceeding 7,400 kilometers, underscoring a strategic emphasis on high-speed endurance and global reach.
In related defense-industry news, a separate announcement noted that Turkish ANKA attack drones were expected to enter production in Kazakhstan. The agreement involved assessments between the National Kazakhstani Engineering Company and the Turkish Aerospace Industry Corporation, reflecting regional collaboration in unmanned systems development.