Boeing and ASRC Federal have won separate contracts to perform research work on rocket engine technology for the U.S. Air Force, Space News reported Tuesday.
Mike Gruss writes Boeing’s network and space systems unit received a $6.1 million contract and ASRC Federal secured a $3.6 million contract as part of the Air Force’s efforts to replace the Russian-made RD–180 engine for launching national security payloads.
Aerojet Rocketdyne, Orbital ATK, Northrop Grumman and four other contractors were awarded nearly $17 million combined in late 2015 to also provide engine research services.
Awardees will initially focus on exploring new materials and additive manufacturing techniques for the production of propulsion systems.