Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

Hermeus has installed Starlink’s satellite-based connectivity equipment on the Quarterhorse Mk 1 remotely piloted vehicle it is using to develop its planned family of hypersonic aircraft. The connectivity service will be used for beyond-visual line-of-sight command and control functions during flight testing.
According to the U.S. start-up, its engineering team integrated the Starlink installation during the course of ongoing taxi ground tests. <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/aerospace/2023-05-16/hermeus-expands-operations-shapes-flight-test-plan">Hermeus</a> posted images of the equipment on social media, stating that its test campaign had not been delayed by the project.
According to Starlink Aviation, its equipment can work on supersonic aircraft. However, the SpaceX subsidiary has not said whether this would extend to flights at hypersonic speeds, which are defined as Mach 5 and above.
Hermeus is working to apply its Chimera air-breathing hypersonic propulsion technology to power a range of aircraft, including military uncrewed vehicles and a Mach 5 twenty-seat aircraft it has said could enter service in the 2030s. The Quarterhorse Mk 1 technology demonstrator uses General Electric’s J85 engine, while the <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/aerospace/2024-05-17/hermeus-begins-engine-testing-quarterhorse-mk-2">Mk 2 model</a>—which is expected to start supersonic flight testing in 2025—will be powered by Pratt &amp; Whitney’s F100 turbofan.
In September, the Atlanta-based company broke ground for its hypersonic engine and flight test facility at <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/aerospace/2024-09-13/hermeus-build-hypersonic-testing-facility-florida">Cecil Airport</a> in Jacksonville, Florida. This will be used for high-Mach flight testing that is due to start in 2026.

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