Hermeus runs its Chimera engine through the switch from turbojet to ramjet mode in ground tests

Hermeus/Quarterhorse

Hermeus demonstrated a successful turbojet-to-ramjet transition of its Chimera engine in tests at Notre Dame's Turbomachinery Laboratory. The dual-mode engine uses heated air to simulate high-Mach flight conditions and can transition around Mach 3, a critical capability that allows Quarterhorse to take off from a runway and continue accelerating to hypersonic speeds.

• Chimera is a combined turbojet and ramjet engine capable of mode switching
• Transition from turbojet to ramjet demonstrated in controlled tests at Notre Dame
• Transition occurs around Mach 3, allowing runway takeoff and sustained acceleration
• Enables Quarterhorse to progress toward hypersonic air vehicle development