Hermeus unveils cutting-edge hypersonic testing facility in Florida [VIDEO]

The HEAT facility has already conducted a series of successful tests with the Pratt & Whitney F100 engine, a key milestone for Hermeus as it paves the way for future advancements in hypersonic and supersonic technology. Designed to enhance both military and commercial engine testing, HEAT is set to reduce testing costs and alleviate the significant scheduling delays that have plagued the hypersonic industry.

“HEAT is poised to revolutionise hypersonic testing by unlocking low-cost, high-capability propulsion solutions,” said AJ Piplica, Co-Founder and CEO of Hermeus. “Current facilities are overbooked and expensive. HEAT will not only expand capacity but also serve as a vital national resource for advancing hypersonic technology.”

Located at the former Cecil Naval Air Station, HEAT is being developed in phases. The first phase focuses on testing current propulsion systems, while future upgrades will introduce continuous high-Mach airflow, enabling more realistic, flight-like testing conditions on the ground.

The initial engine tested, the Pratt & Whitney F100, is set to power Hermeus’ upcoming Quarterhorse Mk 2 aircraft. When combined with Hermeus’ proprietary precooler technology, this autonomous aircraft will achieve speeds exceeding Mach 2.5, making it the fastest of its kind.

Looking further ahead, the F100 will serve as the turbine core for the Chimera engine, a turbine-based combined cycle engine capable of achieving Mach 5. This engine will power the Quarterhorse Mk 3, designed to demonstrate seamless transitions between turbine and ramjet modes, aiming to surpass the speed record set by the iconic SR-71 Blackbird.

HEAT’s infrastructure repurposes facilities originally constructed in 1959 and 1989, with Hermeus retrofitting them to meet the demands of modern propulsion testing. Alex Miller, Manager of Propulsion Test Engineering, highlighted the efficiency of the project: “We completed HEAT’s first phase in one-eighth the time and at one-tenth the cost of comparable projects. From custom fuel systems to advanced data acquisition technology, the transformation of these facilities is remarkable.”