HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - Aerojet Rocketdyne announced the establishment of the company's Advanced Hydrocarbon Propulsion Development Office (AHPDO) in Huntsville, Alabama. The facility will focus on delivering a 21st century advanced hydrocarbon rocket engine to the nation and the integration of the company's ongoing hydrocarbon technology and development efforts. This development work will include the AR1 advanced large hydrocarbon rocket engine, the NASA Advanced Booster Engineering Demonstration Risk Reduction program, the U.S. Air Force Hydrocarbon Boost Technology Development program, along with internal Aerojet Rocketdyne research and development involving the company's Bantam Engine family for lower thrust applications.

AHPDO will work toward bringing a new generation of globally competitive hydrocarbon rocket engines to the marketplace, by integrating the latest breakthroughs in 21st century materials, manufacturing and engineering with decades of Aerojet Rocketdyne's pioneering work in advanced hydrocarbon large liquid rocket engines. Modern engine cycles, new materials and state-of-the-art additive manufacturing are some of the key focus areas. Low cost, yet high-performing and highly reliable engines are the expected product from this effort.

Rapid development and certification of AR1, an all-U.S. designed, developed and produced advanced hydrocarbon engine, manufactured to power America's current and future national security launch vehicles, is a key focus for AHPDO. AR1 is expected to be a catalyst for U.S. launch providers to compete more effectively in the global commercial launch marketplace, as it is being designed to be affordable, reliable and high performing. The AHPDO office will integrate AR1 development and production activities across Aerojet Rocketdyne's various sites. The company's Los Angeles and Sacramento, California facilities will bring the nation's most advanced large rocket engine engineering and specialized manufacturing expertise to AR1. Aerojet Rocketdyne's additional manufacturing and assembly work from the West Palm Beach, Florida facility will support AR1 development. Aerojet Rocketdyne's Stennis facility will be used for AR1 engine final assembly and could begin to test as early as 2017. In addition, main propulsion system final assembly is planned for the Decatur, Alabama area in conjunction with the company's strategic industry partners.

The AR1 rocket engine represents the first advanced hydrocarbon large liquid rocket engine in development by Aerojet Rocketdyne since the merging of the two leading U.S. rocket propulsion companies, Aerojet and Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, in June 2013.

Source: www.Rocket.com