Mary-Louise Hoffman
The U.S. Air Force and Aerojet Rocketdyne are currently in discussions about potential financing of the company’s proposed domestic substitute for the Russian RD-180 rocket engine, Reuters reported Monday.
Andrea Shalal writes Aerojet Rocketdyne projected it can finish its AR-1 system development by 2019 if the military branch allots enough funds for the effort.
The Air Force launched an industry competition to find a domestically-produced engine after Congress decided to ban use of the Russian-made engine for U.S.’ future military satellite launch initiatives.
The military service has said it will split about $160 million in alternative engine development contract funds, Reuters reports.
