Hermeus
High-speed and hypersonic aircraft development for defense and national security.
Hermeus is developing the world's fastest unmanned aircraft, powered by its hybrid turbine-ramjet Chimera engine. The company's Quarterhorse program builds reusable high-speed demonstrator aircraft, and its Darkhorse vehicle is a multi-mission reusable hypersonic UAS. Hermeus works directly with the US Department of War and has successfully flown two aircraft in under nine months. The company moved its HQ to El Segundo, CA in 2026.
Overview
- Headquarters
- El Segundo, CA
- Founded
- 2018
- Employees
- ~300
- Total funding
- $500M+
- Valuation
- $1B (Series C, Apr 2026)
- Stage
- Series C
- Status
- active
- Domains
- Hypersonic aircraft, High-speed propulsion, Unmanned systems
- www.linkedin.com/company/hermeus
- X / Twitter
- x.com/hermeuscorp
- Website
- hermeus.com
Founders5
- FounderAJ PiplicaCo-founder and CEO of Hermeus.
- FounderZach ShoreCEO of Hermeus since June 2026; former Anduril early employee and US Marine Corps officer.
- FounderSkyler ShufordCo-founder and COO of Hermeus, the hypersonic aircraft company founded in 2018.
- FounderMichael SmaydaCo-founder and Chief Product Officer of Hermeus, the hypersonic aircraft company founded in 2018.
- FounderGlenn CaseCo-founder and Chief Technologist of Hermeus; the company original CTO.
Investors2
Cap table8
Approximate ownership by holder. Indexed holders link to their records.
Raised per round
Valuation over time
Percentages marked ~ are not disclosed. Some are a generic VC-pattern model (founders/team weighted heaviest, option pool lightest, other holders evenly) sized to whatever's left undisclosed — a standard industry shape, not this company's actual cap table.
| Holder | Instrument | Ownership |
|---|---|---|
AJ Piplica (Founder/CEO) & teamReinvested | Common | ~13.3% |
Other investors | Preferred | ~13.3% |
In-Q-TelReinvested | Preferred (Series C) | ~13.3% |
Sam AltmanReinvested | Preferred (Series C) | ~13.3% |
Founders FundReinvested | Preferred (Series C) | ~13.3% |
Canaan PartnersReinvested | Preferred (Series C) | ~13.3% |
Khosla VenturesReinvested | Preferred (Series C) | ~13.3% |
Employee option pool | Options | ~6.7% |
Contracts2
Frequently asked
- What does Hermeus do?
- Hermeus is developing the world's fastest unmanned aircraft, powered by its hybrid turbine-ramjet Chimera engine. The company's Quarterhorse program builds reusable high-speed demonstrator aircraft, and its Darkhorse vehicle is a multi-mission reusable hypersonic UAS. Hermeus works directly with the US Department of War and has successfully flown two aircraft in under nine months. The company moved its HQ to El Segundo, CA in 2026.
- Where is Hermeus headquartered?
- Hermeus is headquartered in El Segundo, CA and was founded in 2018.
- How much funding has Hermeus raised?
- Hermeus has raised $500M+ in disclosed funding, at a most recent valuation of $1B (Series C, Apr 2026).
- What does Hermeus specialize in?
- Hermeus works across Hypersonic aircraft, High-speed propulsion, Unmanned systems.
- Does Hermeus hold government contracts?
- Defense Tech Atlas links Hermeus to 2 government contracts and 1 program.
Sources & citations6
6 sources behind every claim
Every data point on this record is backed by a cited public source. Request Pro access to see them and verify each claim yourself.