The Future Of Fighter Jets - EP 93 Hermeus With Zach Shore And A.J. Piplica

Hermeus is revolutionizing aerospace development by applying an iterative, hardware-rich approach to build autonomous supersonic and hypersonic aircraft. Unlike traditional defense contractors that rely on decades-long development cycles, Hermeus utilizes unmanned platforms like the Quarter Horse to rapidly test technologies and reduce the risks associated with high-speed flight. By integrating existing, proven turbine engines with custom ramjet technology, the company creates mass-producible systems that offer significant operational flexibility for the military. CEO Zach Shore and co-founder A.J. Piplica emphasize that this dual-use strategy—starting with defense applications—is essential for building a sustainable business capable of eventually enabling commercial hypersonic travel. Operating from New Mexico’s unrestricted airspace allows the team to accelerate testing milestones, effectively challenging the bureaucratic inertia that often slows innovation within the defense industrial base.