Fwd: USAF Issues RFI for New Rocket Engine

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From: "Gary Johnson" <gjohnson144@comcast.net>
Date: August 22, 2014 10:10:14 AM CDT
To: "Gary Johnson" <gjohnson144@comcast.net>
Subject: FW: USAF Issues RFI for New Rocket Engine

 

 

USAF Issues RFI for New Rocket Engine

Aug. 21, 2014 - 07:06PM   |  

By AARON MEHTA 

The US Air Force has issued a request for information, the first step to replacing the Russian-made RD-180 engine used for military launches. (Patrick H. Corkery/ULA)

WASHINGTON — The US Air Force is officially looking into a replacement for the Russian-made RD-180 rocket engine.

On Thursday, the service posted a request for information (RFI) on the government contracting website FedBizOps looking for information on "booster propulsion and/or launch system materiel options that could deliver cost-effective, commercially-viable solutions for current and future National Security Space (NSS) launch requirements."

"Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) is considering an acquisition strategy to stimulate the commercial development of booster propulsion systems and/or launch systems for Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV)-class spacelift applications," the solicitation said. "The Air Force has relied upon foreign sources for booster propulsion systems in the past."

While the RFI does not specifically say so, it is clear this would be the start of a replacement for the RD-180, used by the United Launch Alliance in its Atlas V launch vehicle.

Congress has expressed interest in developing an American-designed replacement after Russian leadership threatened to cut off the Pentagon earlier this year. on Wednesday, the Alliance took delivery of its first two RD-180s since Russia annexed Crimea.

The RFI shows the early nature of the replacement program, with the service asking for input from industry on a number of options, including whether a new program would be similar to the RD-180 or come in a new configuration and the use of "alternative launch vehicles" for the EELV mission.

Service officials, including Air Force Undersecretary Eric Fanning, have shown enthusiasm for some form of public-private partnership, another area mentioned in the RFI.

Lt. Gen. Ellen Pawlikowski, then head of the Air Force's Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC), said in a June interview that she wants a new engine to create opportunities in the commercial realm, not just for military launch. The RFI reflects that ideas a well, asking for programs ideas that "potentially could result in greater U.S. competitiveness in the commercial space arena."

Overall, the RFI contains 36 questions for industry. Responses to the Air Force are due by September 19. That will be followed by an industry day at Space and Missile Systems headquarters at Los Angeles Air Force Base on September 25 and 26.■

 

 

All content © 2014, Gannett Government Media Corporation 

 

 

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Air Force Eyes Replacing Russian Engine With U.S. Option

By Tony Capaccio 2014-08-21T19:38:55Z

 

The U.S. Air Force has taken a first step toward the eventual replacement of the Russian-made engine used in American military and intelligence satellite launches, a sign of the discord between the two countries sparked by the crisis in Ukraine.

The service's Space and Missile Systems Center issued a "request for information" from industry on potential options to replace the RD-180 engine that has been used for years on the Atlas V rocket by the United Launch Alliance, a joint venture of Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT) and Boeing Co. (BA)

The Air Force is "considering an acquisition strategy to stimulate the commercial development of booster propulsion systems," and it is "open to a range of possible options including but not limited to a replacement engine," according to the document.

U.S. dependence on a Russian-made engine has prompted criticism in Congress since Russia annexed Crimea earlier this year has continued to back separatists in Ukraine. It also has been highlighted by billionaire Elon Musk, whose Space Exploration Technologies Corp. is fighting for Pentagon contracts now held exclusively by the Lockheed-Boeing alliance that he calls a monopoly.

Musk's company is being reviewed by the Air Force for certification to compete in launching satellites.

Russian Official

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin hinted in May that his country would cut off the supply of engines in retaliation for the escalating tensions over Ukraine, which has spurred the U.S. and the European Union to impose economic sanctions on Russia. Rogozin later told reporters "we will continue working with the U.S. on projects that are lucrative for us," according to RIA Novosti.

The United Launch Alliance this week received from Russia two more engines, as anticipated, and "we expect another shipment of three engines later this year," spokeswoman Jessica Rye said in an e-mailed statement.

An independent panel that the Air Force convened said in May said the U.S. "needs to develop a domestic" rocket engine to replace the RD-180.

A new engine may cost as much as $1.5 billion and take as long as six years to develop, the panel of government and industry space advisers said.

Effects of an RD-180 loss "are significant, and near-term options to mitigate them are limited," according to a summary of what the panel called its "quick reaction review."

To contact the reporter on this story: Tony Capaccio in Washington at acapaccio@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: John Walcott at jwalcott9@bloomberg.net Larry Liebert, Don Frederick

 

© 2014 Bloomberg L.P. All rights reserved.  

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