Northrop Grumman and Hermeus have signed an agreement to equip the Quarterhorse high-speed unmanned aircraft with military mission systems, combining the defense contractor's technology with Hermeus' experimental supersonic platform.
Announced on November 12, the partnership covers the development and integration of sensors, electronic warfare equipment, communications and autonomous mission capabilities. Hermeus will remain responsible for the aircraft and its propulsion systems.
The companies intend to use existing Northrop Grumman technologies to accelerate development. However, they have not disclosed which equipment will be installed, the financial terms or a schedule for flight testing. The agreement does not represent an order for operational aircraft.
Turning Quarterhorse into a military platform
Hermeus has developed an open-architecture Mission Management System (MMS) designed to accommodate different equipment and software. This could allow the aircraft to carry military payloads without extensive modifications to its flight systems.
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Northrop Grumman describes its contribution as mission kits, which could provide capabilities such as electronic warfare, surveillance and communication with other military platforms. The company is also developing mission systems for the XQ-58A Valkyrie, although the two agreements concern separate aircraft programs.
The partnership follows a separate agreement announced in September with Anduril Industries, which will supply its Lattice for Mission Autonomy software for the Quarterhorse Mk 2. Flight testing of that system is planned for 2027.
Anduril's role focuses on autonomous mission execution, and Northrop Grumman will contribute mission equipment and integration expertise. Hermeus has not explained how their respective technologies will interact.
Quarterhorse is progressing toward higher speeds
Quarterhorse was conceived as a series of experimental aircraft to develop technologies for increasingly high-speed flight. The Mk 2.1 demonstrator reached Mach 1.6 during testing in 2026, and the subsequent Mk 2.2 is intended to exceed Mach 2 using the company's Gryphon propulsion system.
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Hermeus plans additional demonstrators capable of approaching Mach 3 and eventually testing propulsion technologies for sustained flight at even higher speeds. The company has also outlined a ramjet-powered test vehicle that could be launched from Quarterhorse.
The program has received support from the US Defense Innovation Unit through a contract with a ceiling of $219 million. That agreement supports high-speed aircraft development and is separate from the new Northrop Grumman partnership.
Neither company has confirmed which Quarterhorse variant will receive Northrop Grumman's equipment or when a fully integrated military demonstrator could fly.
