USAF Awards $161M Rocket Propulsion Contracts To Replace Russian Launch Vehicle

The US Department of Defense announced Monday two US Air Force contracts estimated $161 million for the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program.

The announced contracts is for building rocket propulsion system prototypes that will transition away from the use of the Russian supplied RD-180 engine to a domestic alternative for National Security Space launches, the statement said.

The first contract was awarded to California-based Aerojet Rocketdyne for the development of the AR1 rocket propulsion system prototype worth $115 million.

Another contract worth $46 million was awarded to United Launch Services LLC for the development of the Vulcan BE-4 and Advanced Cryogenic Evolved Stage (ACES) rocket propulsion system prototypes.

These agreements requires shared cost investment with Aerojet Rocketdyne for the development of a prototype of the AR1 engine, a booster stage engine intended for use on United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan launch vehicle. In addition, the contract is also for developing the ACES rocket propulsion system, an upper stage engine.

The work on contracts is expected to be completed by December 31, 2019, the statement said.

According to the statement, Aerojet Rocketdyne is contributing $57,656,307 at the time of award. The total potential government investment, including all options, is $536,029,652. The total potential investment by Aerojet Rocketdyne, including all options, is $268,014,826.

Whereas, United Launch Services is contributing $40,828,213 at the time of award.  The total potential government investment, including all options, is $201,655,584. The total potential investment by United Launch Services, including all options, is $134,196,971.