Hermeus Raises $350M, Hits $1B Valuation for Unmanned Supersonic Fighter Jet Program

Aerospace startup Hermeus has secured a massive $350 million Series C funding round, catapulting its valuation to over $1 billion. The capital injection, led by Khosla Ventures, is earmarked for a singular, aggressive mission: to build the world's fastest aircraft for the U.S. military. This funding milestone solidifies Hermeus's position as a major player in the high-stakes race to develop next-generation unmanned combat aircraft, moving from concept to scaled manufacturing.

The Atlanta-based company's immediate focus is its 'Quarterhorse' program, an F-16-sized unmanned jet designed to break the sound barrier. The new funds will finance the construction of two more Quarterhorse prototypes and expand manufacturing capacity. This development phase is critical for Hermeus as it works toward its ultimate goal: an uncrewed aircraft capable of sustained flight at Mach 3 or faster, pushing into hypersonic territory.

The substantial investment underscores intense Pentagon and venture capital interest in autonomous, high-speed platforms that could redefine air combat and reconnaissance. Hermeus's progress places significant pressure on established defense primes and signals a shift in how cutting-edge military technology is funded and developed. The company's ability to deliver on its Quarterhorse promises will now face heightened scrutiny as it deploys this war chest to transition from testing to production.