The hypersonic airplane Quarterhorse has made its maiden flight

It became known that the hypersonic airplane Quarterhorse, developed by the company Hermeus, has made the first test flight.

This was reported by the developer, reports Defense News.

Aircraft Mk 1 is the second version of the Quarterhorse test platform and the first machine of the project, took to the skies. The flight took place at the U.S. Air Force Base Edwards.

“Flight tests conducted on May 21 brought Hermeus one step closer to its goal of launching an autonomous reusable vehicle with a speed close to Mach five by 2026,” the publication writes.

It is noted that the developer planned to test Quarterhorse in flight in 2023, but the terms have been repeatedly postponed.

During the first flight tests, specialists checked the ability of the aircraft to take off and land.

Hermeus will take into account the data obtained when building the second prototype Mk 2, which is planned to take to the skies by the end of the year. This aircraft will reach supersonic speeds.

According to the publication, the project is supported by private investors and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory.

Earlier it was reported that in the United States, for the first time successfully tested a returned hypersonic vehicle Talon-A.

It was launched from the aircraft carrier Roc company Stratolaunch. The apparatus developed a speed of more than Mach 5 numbers and successfully landed.