About Us
We are developing the world’s first Mach 18+ interceptor to defend America against current and future hypersonic threats
Core Team
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Richard H. Lugg
CEO & Founder
Hypersonics innovator with 35 years founding, managing, and growing leading aerospace companies
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Guy N. Kalonji
Chief Engineer
25 years in design, integration, systems in hypersonics and high Mach vehicles
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Robert Laidlaw
Chief Operating Officer
Over two decades with global Silicon Valley companies plus 12 years developing new business ventures
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Richard Gordon
Chief Financial Officer
Comprehensive and successful record of financial management within a variety of industries
Our Story
Terminus was born from the idea of an aggressive counter to the advancing hypersonic nuclear threats of enemies against the United States. This fostered the idea of the urgent and dire need to develop and field a new, effective, clean sheet hypersonic design… a “hypervelocity” long-range US interceptor.
In late 2024, Terminus began development of HYPERSWORD, a Mach 18+ air-breathing scramjet-powered interceptor. Our technology enables sustained combustion at extreme hypersonic speeds. For the first time the “Holy Grail” of hypersonic flight can be achieved — reliable, scalable, robust and economical propulsion .
We are raising a $1M Pre-Seed round to achieve sustained Mach 10+ ignition simulation within six months, followed by a $4M Seed round to validate our Mach 18+ ignition technology through ground testing at Purdue University. Two subsequent rounds will fund flight testing of two HYPERSWORD interceptors and transition toward production.
If we achieve sustained Mach 10+ ignition during ground testing, discussions with leaders at the U.S. Space Force and U.S. Naval Air Weapon Systems Command (NAVAIR) suggest licensing opportunities exceeding $100M may become available.
We believe the future of defense belongs to agile companies that can innovate faster than emerging threats.