Hermeus, a Los Angeles-based aerospace startup, has secured $350 million in funding to accelerate development of unmanned hypersonic fighters.
The round includes $200 million in equity led by Khosla Ventures and $150 million in debt, achieving a $1 billion valuation while preserving founder control.
Strategic Backing from Defense and Tech Investors
Investors also feature Canaan Partners, Founders Fund, In-Q-Tel, RTX Ventures, Cox Enterprises, and Destiny Tech100, signaling strong confidence in hypersonic innovation.
Founded by CEO AJ Piplica, Hermeus has grown to nearly 300 employees, shifting from proprietary engines to partnering with Pratt & Whitney on modifying the proven F100 engine.
Breakthrough Test Flights and Rapid Prototyping
The company recently completed a successful test flight of an F-16-sized demonstrator, following a smaller version last year, with supersonic speeds targeted for the next iteration.
A third aircraft is already in development, embracing a SpaceX-inspired cycle of build, test, fail, and iterate to compress decades-long timelines.
Hermeus' unmanned fighters are remote-controlled, not fully autonomous, designed to meet urgent Department of Defense demands for high-speed capabilities.
Revolutionizing Defense Tech Landscape
CEO AJ Piplica emphasized the funding's role in expanding manufacturing non-dilutively, stating, "We build a lot of hardware."
President Zach Shore highlighted synergies: "This accelerates us to Mach 5, reinforcing economics, DoD demand, and technology maturation."
Amid $9 billion in global VC for defense tech last year, Hermeus positions itself to transform aerial warfare through speed and scalability.
Future plans include scaling production and talent to deliver hypersonic platforms, potentially reshaping U.S. military superiority in contested skies.
Maria Lourdes
