Our Story
Terminus was born from the idea of an aggressive counter to the advancing hypersonic nuclear threats of our 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 2025 the threats from China and Russia escalated in importance during our meetings with US Space Force and Aerospace Corporation, when senior officials stated “we need a new and faster interceptor to destroy space threats, and have new missions to defend space.”
The Company builds on foundational work from Hyperspace Propulsion, which advanced supersonic plasma combustion under a US Navy program (2021-2023). In 2024, discussions with Trae Stephens, CEO of Anduril Defense, and Partner at Founders Fund, formed interest in a large investment to make first flight a reality, suggesting a focused growth strategy; apply this breakthrough to missile defense.
Terminus began development of HYPERSWORD, a Mach 18+ air-breathing scramjet powered interceptor using Strutjet Plasma Ignition Technology (SPIT). The 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 architectures.
To meet US Space Force indication for rapid development of HYPERSWORD, an accelerated design, development and engineering effort has been formed with The Aerospace Corporation, partnering with Terminus. US Space Force is their customer, Terminus goes under contract with Aerospace June 1st; first flight in 17 months and production in 30 months. Partnerships with The Aerospace Corporation and Purdue University’s Zucrow hypersonic engineering program will validate vehicle design, mission assurance, Mach 10+ sustained ignition. Upon first flight, this will accelerate direct delivery to the US Space Force, and an anticipated investment into a Program of Record. This will establish the foundation of a new generation of hypersonic interceptors that can get the job done and defend America.