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FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Hermeus’ Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 achieves first uncrewed supersonic flight at Mach 1.21

US hypersonics startup Hermeus has broken the sound barrier with its uncrewed Quarterhorse Mk 2.1, less than a year after first flight. The aircraft reached a top speed of Mach 1.21, marking the start of an experimental supersonic test campaign for the large unmanned jet.

2026-05-26T11:09:35.473410-07:00

Associated Press

Russia deploys Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile in mass Kyiv attack, third wartime use

2026-05-24T18:28:09.644253-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Varda Space Industries completes May 18 reentry mission as CEO maps space-based medicine path to manufacturing

2026-05-21T15:26:08.039956-07:00

Reuters

Russia launches major Kyiv barrage using Oreshnik plus ballistic and hypersonic missiles alongside drones

2026-05-23T17:13:29.606158-07:00

News Timeline

FlightGlobal

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Hermeus’ Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 achieves first uncrewed supersonic flight at Mach 1.21 US hypersonics startup Hermeus has broken the sound barrier with its uncrewed Quarterhorse Mk 2.1, less than a year after first flight. The aircraft reached a top speed of Mach 1.21, marking the start of an experimental supersonic test campaign for the large unmanned jet.

2026-05-26T11:09:35.473410-07:00

Hermeus’ Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 achieves first uncrewed supersonic flight at Mach 1.21

Associated Press

Russia deploys Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile in mass Kyiv attack, third wartime use Russia carried out a large-scale drone-and-missile assault on Kyiv on May 24, using the nuclear-capable Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile for the third time in the war. Ukrainian officials said the attack killed at least two people, injured 83, and damaged buildings across the capital.

2026-05-24T18:28:09.644253-07:00

Russia deploys Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile in mass Kyiv attack, third wartime use

Reuters

Russia launches major Kyiv barrage using Oreshnik plus ballistic and hypersonic missiles alongside drones Ukrainian officials and state media report a large overnight strike on Kyiv involving an Oreshnik missile, alongside Iskander, Kinzhal, and Zircon missile types, as well as drones. Kyiv’s mayoral office said four people were killed and more than 80 wounded, characterizing it as one of the city’s biggest attacks.

2026-05-23T17:13:29.606158-07:00

Russia launches major Kyiv barrage using Oreshnik plus ballistic and hypersonic missiles alongside drones

Reuters

Russia prepares Ukraine strike with hypersonic ‘Oreshnik’, as Zelenskiy claims the missile is impossible to intercept Russia is preparing a strike on Ukraine using the hypersonic ‘Oreshnik’ missile, according to Vladimir Putin’s claims. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the weapon is impossible to intercept, raising stakes for the effectiveness of existing missile-defense layers.

2026-05-23T10:25:16.507813-07:00

Russia prepares Ukraine strike with hypersonic ‘Oreshnik’, as Zelenskiy claims the missile is impossible to intercept

Reuters

Ukraine says Starlink stripping plus mid-range strikes drove Russian losses—and Kyiv wants “200 losses per square kilometer” pri Ukraine’s defense chief said efforts to strip Russia of Starlink access, combined with mid-range strike campaigns, have contributed to “high losses” on the battlefield. Kyiv is framing the conflict’s cost in territorial terms, seeking compensation of at least 200 losses for every square kilometer Russia takes.

2026-05-23T10:25:16.507813-07:00

Ukraine says Starlink stripping plus mid-range strikes drove Russian losses—and Kyiv wants “200 losses per square kilometer” pri

SpaceNews.com

Varda Space Industries completes May 18 reentry mission as CEO maps space-based medicine path to manufacturing Varda Space Industries says it completed its latest reentry mission on May 18, continuing to back both pharmaceutical research payload work and hypersonic testing. In a fireside chat at ASCEND, CEO Bruey outlined a strategy to move space-based medicine from “research novelty” toward manufacturing at scale.

2026-05-21T15:26:08.039956-07:00

Varda Space Industries completes May 18 reentry mission as CEO maps space-based medicine path to manufacturing

AeroTime

Stratolaunch and Missile Defense Agency complete March hypersonic test with reusable Talon-A3, launched from an operational ex-V Stratolaunch says it flew a March hypersonic test for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency using its reusable Talon-A3 vehicle, launched from the company’s carrier aircraft (Spirit of Mojave) configured for the mission. The sortie—now disclosed—aims to mature new hypersonic technologies via continued reuse and flight validation.

2026-05-21T12:39:25.249024-07:00

Stratolaunch and Missile Defense Agency complete March hypersonic test with reusable Talon-A3, launched from an operational ex-V

Wall Street Journal

$50M rocket deal backs Trump-era hypersonics push as Pentagon/VC appetite turns to startups A reported $50 million rocket transaction is being framed as fuel for Trump’s hypersonic ambitions, reflecting a broader shift in aerospace industrial strategy. The cluster highlights growing Pentagon and venture-capital interest in startups and faster, deal-driven pathways from investment to test and production.

2026-05-19T11:39:52.256342-07:00

$50M rocket deal backs Trump-era hypersonics push as Pentagon/VC appetite turns to startups

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Hypersonic News

Hermeus’ Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 achieves first uncrewed supersonic flight at Mach 1.21

Russia deploys Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile in mass Kyiv attack, third wartime use

Varda Space Industries completes May 18 reentry mission as CEO maps space-based medicine path to manufacturing

Russia launches major Kyiv barrage using Oreshnik plus ballistic and hypersonic missiles alongside drones

News Timeline