Spike S-512

US-based Spike Aerospace has rolled out a 30-day crowd-funding campaign to advance the next design phase of the company’s supersonic jet, the Spike S-512.

The development follows the completion of the project’s first design phase.

The crowd-funding campaign was launched on international platform Indiegogo. It is expected to support Spike Aerospace in design, build, test and certification stages of the aircraft.

Spike Aerospace president Vik Kachoria said crowd-funding was a way to get people involved in the early stages of new projects.

"Indiegogo allows us to connect with people who are similarly enthused about aviation, new technology, and travel," Kachoria said. "With the help of our fans, we can advance to the next step in the process."

However, Spike does not expect to raise all the funding necessary through Indiegogo.

"We’re going to be looking at improving jet efficiency, reducing noise, and increasing performance. By the end, we’ll have a detailed concept design that will carry us into the phases of development."

The preliminary design of Spike S-512 has been created after two years of research by the company’s senior engineers, and the aircraft travels at a speed of Mach 1.6, making international travel quicker and more efficient.

Design phase one of the project was completed with an investment of $250,000. It included all the initial designs and specifications for the supersonic jet.

The second design phase will involve computer work, simulations, and CFD analysis.

"We’re going to be looking at improving jet efficiency, reducing noise, and increasing performance," Kachoria added. "By the end, we’ll have a detailed concept design that will carry us into the phases of development."

In exchange for funding, campaign supporters will receive benefits from Spike Aerospace according to their pledge, which include a pass to sit in the cockpit of a partial mock-up of the jet, a high-resolution exclusive image of the Spike S-512 or a ticket for a supersonic flight.


Image: The preliminary design of Spike S-512 travels at a speed of Mach 1.6. Photo: courtesy of Spike Aerospace, Inc.

Defence Technology