The Pentagon has found a replacement for Russian RD-180 rocket engines
The Pentagon has found a replacement for Russian RD-180 rocket engines, having signed contracts with two American companies, American Aerojet Rocketdyne and United Launch Services. This was stated in a message by the Ministry of Defense of the United States.
Aerojet Rocketdyne will focus on the development of the rocket engine AR1. An agreement was reached for $115 million. United Launch Services will develop a prototype booster Vulcan with a rocket engine BE-4 and rocket propulsion. This contract was made for $46 million dollars.
After the annexation of Crimea, the US Congress has directed the military to stop using Russian RD-180 engines by 2019. These engines are used in the rocket Atlas V, produced by United Launch Alliance.
In May of last year, the Pentagon Chief and the Chief of Intelligence of the US asked the Senate to authorize the purchase of Russian engines ordered prior to the annexation of Crimea. The American company that developed Antares, Orbital ATK, has also abandoned rocket engines purchased in Russia.