Pratt & Whitney and Hermeus have signed a Production License Agreement for the fighter engine F100-PW-229, authorizing Hermeus to manufacture the engine independently. The agreement creates an additional qualified U.S. production source for the F100.
Hermeus to manufacture F100 under its rapid-build model
Hermeus plans to manufacture the F100-PW-229 using its rapid-build production model while complying with Pratt & Whitney’s global standards for quality, safety and site activation. The venture-backed defense aviation company specializes in rapid iterative prototyping.
The F100 has powered U.S. Air Force F-15 and F-16 fighter aircraft for more than five decades and has accumulated more than 32 million flight hours.
“With more than 32 million flight hours, the F100 has established itself as one of the world’s most trusted fighter engines. By partnering with Hermeus, we are expanding U.S. production capacity to meet growing customer demand,” said Jessica Villardi, Vice President of Fighter & Mobility Programs at Pratt & Whitney.
According to the companies, the agreement adds a new qualified production source for the engine and strengthens the U.S. defense industrial base.
In-house engine production for Quarterhorse
The F100-PW-229 also powers Hermeus’ Quarterhorse. The unmanned aircraft achieved supersonic flight for the first time in 2026. Hermeus describes Quarterhorse as the world’s first privately developed unmanned supersonic aircraft.
“Pratt & Whitney set the standard for fighter propulsion. As a licensed manufacturer of the F100, Hermeus expands domestic engine capacity for the broader defense industrial base and becomes the first vertically integrated aircraft manufacturer with the in-house propulsion capability required to scale Quarterhorse,” said Zach Shore, CEO of Hermeus.
The announcement does not specify production volumes, delivery schedules or investment figures.
Source: Pratt & Whitney