About Us

We are developing the world’s first Mach 18+ interceptor to defend America against current and future hypersonic threats

Core Team

  • Richard H. Lugg, CEO & Founder

    Richard H. Lugg

    CEO & Founder

    Hypersonics innovator with 35 years founding, managing, and growing leading aerospace companies

  • Guy N. Kalonji, Chief Engineer

    Guy N. Kalonji

    Chief Engineer

    25 years in design, integration, systems in hypersonics and high Mach vehicles

  • Robert Laidlaw, COO

    Robert Laidlaw

    Chief Operating Officer

    Over two decades with global Silicon Valley companies plus 12 years developing new business ventures

  • Peter Gordon, CFO

    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.