Hermeus Becomes Unicorn With $350 Million Raise for Autonomous Hypersonic Fighters

Defense aviation startup Hermeus has closed $350 million in Series C financing, pushing its valuation to $1 billion and entering unicorn territory. The round comprises $200 million in equity, led by Khosla Ventures, and $150 million in debt.

Building the Fastest Unmanned Aircraft

Hermeus, based in Atlanta, is developing what it describes as the fastest unmanned aircraft — autonomous hypersonic fighters designed for national security missions. The company will use the new capital to build two more supersonic jets and ramp up its manufacturing capacity.

The technical foundation is already in place. With the successful flight of Quarterhorse Mk 2.1, supersonic flight is now imminent. Hermeus is working with RTX subsidiary Pratt & Whitney to modify the aerospace company's F100 engine to power its hypersonic aircraft, combining proven jet engine technology with novel airframe design.

Investor Roster

The round drew a mix of deep-tech and defense-focused investors. Khosla Ventures led, with continued support from Canaan Partners, Founders Fund, RTX Ventures, Bling Capital, and In-Q-Tel — the CIA's venture arm. New investors include Cox Enterprises and its venture fund Socium Ventures, Destiny Tech100, Georgia Tech Foundation, 137 Ventures, and GSBackers.

The breadth of the investor base reflects growing confidence in the defense tech sector, where companies are benefiting from increased military spending and a strategic shift toward autonomous systems.

Defense Tech's Moment

Hermeus's unicorn milestone is part of a broader surge in defense tech funding. Shield AI closed a $1.5 billion Series G at a $12.7 billion valuation earlier this year. Anduril continues to expand its portfolio of autonomous defense systems. And venture firms like Eclipse are raising dedicated funds for defense and physical AI.

The common thread is a conviction that autonomous systems — in the air, at sea, and on land — will fundamentally reshape military capabilities. Hermeus's focus on hypersonic speed adds a dimension that few competitors are pursuing, positioning it in a niche with significant strategic value and limited competition.