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// DOSSIER — hermeus-selects-anduril-quarterhorse-drone-autonomy-software
Hermeus Selects Anduril for Quarterhorse Drone Autonomy Software
REL_TIME: 05 Sep 2026 18:42Z · LANG: EN
Aircraft startup Hermeus has selected defense tech firm Anduril to supply its Lattice for Mission Autonomy software suite for the Mk 2 Quarterhorse high-speed, uncrewed aircraft. The partnership marks Anduril's first commercial deal to integrate its autonomy solution onto a third-party, high-Mach, Group 5 aircraft. The collaboration will automate flight controls, enable collaborative operations, and prepare the supersonic platform for live operations, with the first autonomy test flight scheduled for 2027.
// Background
Hermeus develops high-speed and hypersonic aircraft through iterative flight test campaigns, with backing from the Pentagon's Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). Its Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 aircraft successfully achieved supersonic flight (reaching Mach 1.21) over White Sands Missile Range airspace in May 2026. Anduril's Lattice for Mission Autonomy software stack is concurrently used in the U.S. Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program and complies with the Autonomy Government Reference Architecture (A-GRA).
// Key Developments
- Anduril’s Lattice for Mission Autonomy will serve as the primary software engine for mission planning and execution on the Quarterhorse Mk 2.
- The agreement is Anduril's first commercial deal integrating its mission autonomy stack with a third-party Group 5 aircraft.
- Engineering teams are actively integrating the software, with the first mission autonomy flight scheduled for 2027.
- The Quarterhorse program is backed by significant Pentagon funding, including a $159 million contract modification from the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) bringing total funding to $219 million.
- Hermeus previously achieved supersonic flight with its Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 aircraft, hitting Mach 1.21 in May 2026.
// Timeline
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Anduril flew its revamped mission autonomy stack on the YFQ-44A prototype.
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Hermeus's Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 achieved supersonic speed, hitting Mach 1.21 over White Sands Missile Range.
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Hermeus announced a $159 million contract modification with the Defense Innovation Unit, bringing its total contract ceiling to $219 million.
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The U.S. Air Force selected Anduril's Lattice for Mission Autonomy for the next phase of the CCA program.
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Hermeus and Anduril officially announced their partnership to integrate Lattice for Mission Autonomy onto the Quarterhorse Mk 2 drone.
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First mission autonomy flight of the combined Anduril-Hermeus Quarterhorse Mk 2 system is planned.
// Perspectives
[Hermeus]
Enthusiastic and strategic, aiming to leverage Anduril's proven autonomy stack to automate remote flight controls, scale operations, and accelerate flight testing.
[Anduril]
Committed and opportunistic, viewing the partnership as a major milestone to validate its Lattice software on an independent, high-speed, high-Mach airframe and expand its addressable market.
[U.S. Department of Defense / Pentagon]
Supportive of modular, interoperable, and open-architecture systems that allow independent hardware and software development, aligned with initiatives like the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program.
// Quotes
“As we evaluated a bunch of solutions, we viewed Anduril as the natural partner.”
“This isn’t just a mission autonomy science project. This is really readying the Quarterhorse for live operations in a way that really accelerates here.”
“I want to be able to push a button, have the aircraft spin up, have the aircraft auto takeoff, all those basic features that allow one person to manage multiple platforms.”
