Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Selected to Test New Liquid Propulsion System in Support of Protecting the U.S. and Europe from Regional Threats

CANOGA PARK, Calif., Oct. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Missile Defense Agency has awarded Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne a $14 million contract to test new liquid-propulsion technologies that could be used to help intercept incoming ballistic missiles.  The tests, using a liquid Divert and Attitude Control System (DACS), are designed to enhance performance and reduce technological risks associated with the SM-3 Block IIB missile.   Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company.

"Pratt and Whitney Rocketdyne is pleased to have been selected to work on this high-priority program for the Missile Defense Agency," said Bruce Janeski, program manager, SM-3 Block IIB, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne.  "We look forward to leveraging the high reliability and performance from our existing DACS technologies, which have demonstrated 100 percent mission success, and working with our customer in this next phase to provide even more capability."

The SM-3 Block IIB missile is part of the Missile Defense Agency's Phased Adaptive Approach, which is focused on protecting the U.S. and Europe from regional threats.  The SM-3 Block IIB missile is scheduled to be deployed in 2020.  

The liquid DACS is a high-precision, lightweight propulsion system that capitalizes on technologies developed by Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne over the last two decades.  Using liquid-fueled thrusters, the DACS is designed to quickly and accurately position an interceptor into the path of an incoming missile.  The DACS powers the last stage of the interceptor, or Kinetic Vehicle, which provides the maneuvering and steering accuracy needed to directly impact ballistic missiles traveling at high speeds.

Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, a part of Pratt & Whitney, is a preferred provider of high-value propulsion, power, energy and innovative system solutions used in a wide variety of government and commercial applications, including the main engines for the space shuttle, Atlas and Delta launch vehicles, missile defense systems and advanced hypersonic engines.  Behind its successful designs, manufacturing processes, and hardware are Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne's research and development engineers, who solve tough problems in extreme environments and high-energy density applications.  Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne is headquartered in Canoga Park, Calif., and has facilities in Huntsville, Ala.; Kennedy Space Center, Fla.; West Palm Beach, Fla.; Stennis Space Center, Miss; and Carlstadt, N.J.   For more information about Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, go to www.PrattWhitneyRocketdyne.com.

Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines. United Technologies, based in Hartford, Conn., is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and commercial building industries.

Approved for Public Release

11- MDA-6408 (24 October 11)

SOURCE Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne

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