Aerospace industry veteran Tom Captain has joined Spike Aerospace to help accelerate the development and introduction into service of the company’s quiet supersonic business jet.
Captain said "Spike Aerospace has put together a world-class team to design and bring to market the world's first quiet supersonic jet. I love their vision and am very excited to bring my industry experience to help them successfully execute their plans."
The Spike S-512 is designed to seat 12 to 18 passengers and cruise at Mach 1.6, allowing for a 40% quicker trip over 6,200nm at competitive direct operating costs.
Captain spent almost four decades advising global commercial aerospace, space, defense, and airline companies solving complex product development, manufacturing, supply chain, finance, acquisition, litigation, cost efficiency, and business development challenges. He is the retired vice chairman of Deloitte LLP and leader of its global aerospace and defense practice, serving its clients for 36 years in Europe, Asia, and North America. He testified at the Congressional Aviation Subcommittee on the Deloitte study, "Transforming the Air Transportation System" and testified at the Senate Banking Committee on "Export-Import Bank Reauthorization and Impact on the Space Industry."
"Having Tom Captain's experience, connections, and knowledge of the industry is going to be invaluable in helping Spike achieve its vision of advancing aviation with supersonic flight. We are looking forward to his insights," said Vik Kachoria, president & CEO of Spike Aerospace.
A team of experienced senior engineers with backgrounds from leading aerospace companies are developing the high-level conceptual design of the supersonic aircraft. Top aerospace firms, including Siemens, Greenpoint/Zodiac, Maya, Aernnova, Quartus Engineering, and others are providing their expertise in aircraft design, engineering, manufacturing, and testing.