A Leap in Air Travel Speed
Atlanta-Based Company Leading the Charge
ATLANTA: An American aerospace and defense technology startup, Hermeus, based in Atlanta, is making groundbreaking strides in developing a hypersonic passenger jet. This advanced aircraft, named Halcyon, is designed to travel at speeds five times faster than the speed of sound, aiming to revolutionize air travel.
Unprecedented Speed and Efficiency
The Halcyon jet, with a cruising speed of 4,000 miles per hour (Mach 5), is set to become the fastest commercial passenger jet once operational. It will drastically reduce travel times, enabling flights from London to New York in just 90 minutes. According to Hermeus, testing and operational deployment of this hypersonic jet are planned to commence by the end of this decade.
Extensive Route Planning and Considerations
Hermeus has outlined plans for 125 routes for the Halcyon. While its incredible speed allows for non-stop transatlantic flights, such as those across the Atlantic Ocean, transpacific flights, like from Los Angeles to Tokyo, will require a brief stop due to the longer distances involved.
Sonic Boom Challenges
A notable challenge for these hypersonic jets is the powerful sonic booms they generate when traveling at such high speeds. This phenomenon restricts their use to intercontinental and trans-oceanic routes, preventing their operation over continental landmasses and domestic paths.
Hermes is at the forefront of creating a new era in aviation, promising faster, more efficient global travel with its innovative hypersonic passenger jet, the Halcyon.