Atalanta-based Hermeus, financed by the US Air Force, is coming to break records with its revolutionary Chimera hybrid engine, which it tests. This engine of Hermeus will be in the developed Quarterhorse UAV and will make it the fastest aircraft in the world.Hermeus Chimera will make a difference
Hermeus combines the traditional turbojet engine with the hypersonic ramjet engine in the Chimera hybrid engine it has developed. With the engineering and design put forward, the traditional turbojet engine will increase the speed of the vehicle to the speed where the ramjet engine can be engaged. When the ramjet engine kicks in, the Mach 3.3 speed reached by the SR-71 Blackbird will rise to dusty shelves, because according to the company, the target is Mach 4.
If we are going to be a little more detailed, we need to remember some terms again. Turbojet engines are already finding their place in military aircraft and aircraft flying at supersonic speeds. This type of jet engine creates a powerful thrust by compressing and spraying the gases. Ramjet engine type is a simple engine type that can be used at high speeds. We often see them in missile systems. Because these engines do not create a thrust at low speeds. In order to work, they must reach at least three times the speed of sound and achieve the necessary pressure and temperature.
Hermeus’ Chimera hybrid engine combines these two types of jet engines in a single unit. The Chimera’s turbojet will give an acceleration of up to Mach 3. The supersonic air intake will then be directed around the turbojet to the ramjet, which will compress it, ignite it, and accelerate the aircraft to top speed.Engine tests completed
Hermeus began testing the Chimera engine last year, and the team announced in November that a full and stable transition between the turbojet and ramjet stages has been achieved. Glenn Case, Hermeus co-founder and chief technology officer, said in a press release, “The Notre Dame facility has allowed us to create conditions similar to what we’ll see in flight. Completing this test on the ground significantly reduces the risk of Quarterhorse flight tests that begin later this year.”
The cost and speed with which the Hermeus team has reached this milestone is remarkable. Hermeus designed, built and tested the Chimera for $18 million in just 21 months. This is a strong step forward for a company founded in 2018. Hermeus’ target isn’t just the Quarterhorse UAV. Darkhorse and hypersonic commercial Halcyon aircraft, which target Mach 5 and are planned to provide continuous hypersonic flight, are among the company’s projects.
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