# Hermeus: drone company

Canonical ID: `eb49f21e-06ad-499f-9fa8-1a4ff49aed9d`

## Key facts

- **Funding:** [$350M (Apr 2026: $200M equity led by Khosla Ventures + $150M debt)](/investors.md) ([see investors](/investors.md))
- **Valuation:** [$1B+ (Apr 2026)](/valuations.md) ([see valuations ranking](/valuations.md))
- **Founded:** 2018
- **HQ:** Los Angeles, California, USA
- **Lead Investor:** Khosla Ventures
- **Engine Partner:** Pratt & Whitney (RTX) — modified F100 engine
- **Founders:** [AJ Piplica](/people/aj-piplica.md) (CEO), [Zach Shore](/people/zach-shore.md), Glenn Case
- **Total funding:** [~$510M+ ($100M Series B by Sam Altman + $350M Series C at $1B)](/investors.md) ([see investors](/investors.md))
- **Series C lead:** Khosla Ventures ($200M equity + $150M debt)
- **Product:** [Quarterhorse](/models/hermeus-quarterhorse.md) — unmanned hypersonic aircraft (Mk 1 flew, Mk 2 testing)
- **DIU contract:** $219M total ceiling for hypersonic subsystem/mission tech
- **FAA:** Special airworthiness certificate for [Quarterhorse](/models/hermeus-quarterhorse.md)
- **Speed target:** Mach 5+ (hypersonic)

- **Slug:** hermeus
- **Status:** active
- **Founded:** 2018
- **HQ:** Atlanta, GA, USA
- **Funding total (USD):** 350000000
- **Category:** [Drones](/drones)

## Models

- [Quarterhorse](/models/hermeus-quarterhorse.md) (aerial) (id: `6a69c392-1b8f-4fd0-867c-7b602a2c7628`)

## Current leadership (2)

- [AJ Piplica](/people/aj-piplica.md) CEO & Co-founder (_reported, not verified_)
- [Zach Shore](/people/zach-shore.md) Co-founder (_reported, not verified_)

## Supplies to

_No verified supply relationships on file. Supply-chain coverage is being added across the registry; check back as the seed populates this company's outbound edges._

_Outbound supply edges. Each appears when verified with at least two strong sources. Sources are append-only; corrections add new sources rather than rewrite history._

## Common questions

### What is Hermeus?

Defense aviation startup building unmanned hypersonic aircraft (Mach 5+). Founded 2018 by AJ Piplica, Zach Shore, and Glenn Case. Quarterhorse Mk 1 flew at Edwards AFB, Mk 2 in flight testing. $350M Series C at $1B valuation (April 2026), led by Khosla Ventures. DIU contract $219M total ceiling. FAA special airworthiness certificate granted.

### What does Hermeus make?

Hermeus has 1 robot model on the DEPLOY registry: Quarterhorse (Hermeus builds physical robots).

### Where is Hermeus headquartered?

Hermeus is headquartered in Atlanta, GA, USA.

### How much funding has Hermeus raised?

Hermeus has raised approximately $350M in disclosed funding on record in the DEPLOY registry.

### Where does Hermeus operate robots?

Hermeus is a robot manufacturer and does not directly operate deployments on the DEPLOY registry. Its products are deployed by customer operators; see the company page for the verified deployment record.

### When was Hermeus founded?

Hermeus was founded in 2018.


## Sources (1)

1. https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/07/hermeus-raises-350m-to-build-unmanned-hypersonic-fighters/

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