The leadership of the US Air Force urged not to rush to abandon the Russian rocket engines
The Pentagon may remain without the Russian engines RD-180, and without American counterparts, said Mark Welsh, chief of staff of the United States Air Force. About this newspaper writes Look with reference to tass.
The general said that "the command of the Air Force, like the legislative power, would like to ensure as soon as possible competition in the market of space launches in the United States in the interests of the Pentagon."
Meanwhile, “moving in accordance with the schedule worked out by Congress from the starting point we are at and which is characterized by accusing us of having a monopoly (in this sphere),” the Ministry of Defense risks being in a position “when over the next couple of years, there will be no access to the RD-180 or a replacement for it in the form of a US-made rocket engine, ”said Welsh.
He stressed that the established by the lawmakers “the tight schedule of movement to complete cessation of operation from the RD-180 in the United States does not guarantee the emergence of stronger competition in the local market of space launches over time, meeting the interests of the Air Force as a customer of such launches”.
According to the general, it is completely inexpedient “not to save budget funds by using already acquired and accessible engines due to a political decision that aims to create a domestic ability in the field of space launches”.
“We all agree with this (ie such a goal). The only question is how quickly we can achieve it, if we look at things realistically. We should not tie our hands to ourselves, ”he added.
When asked whether "the possibility of acquiring a license from Russia is still being considered with a view to setting up production of the RD-180 in the United States," Welch replied: "I don’t know how this is now."
The newspaper reminds that in December 2014 Mr. McCain introduced an amendment to the Senate to the defense budget, prohibiting the purchase of RD-180 rocket engines manufactured by Energomash. An exception is the consortium of Boeing and Lockheed Martin, which is allowed to purchase engines under the current contract to 2019.
The defense budget was signed by Obama at the end of last year with the McCain Amendment. That is, after the 2019, the Pentagon will be able to use the RD-180 only if they were produced before the Crimea joined the Russian Federation.
Meanwhile, RSC Energia stated that “Russian specialists adapted RD-180 engines supplied to the USA for Atlas missiles for manned launches.” It was also announced the signing of a contract for the supply of 60 rocket engines RD-181 American company Orbital Sciences Corporation.
The general said that "the command of the Air Force, like the legislative power, would like to ensure as soon as possible competition in the market of space launches in the United States in the interests of the Pentagon."
Meanwhile, “moving in accordance with the schedule worked out by Congress from the starting point we are at and which is characterized by accusing us of having a monopoly (in this sphere),” the Ministry of Defense risks being in a position “when over the next couple of years, there will be no access to the RD-180 or a replacement for it in the form of a US-made rocket engine, ”said Welsh.
He stressed that the established by the lawmakers “the tight schedule of movement to complete cessation of operation from the RD-180 in the United States does not guarantee the emergence of stronger competition in the local market of space launches over time, meeting the interests of the Air Force as a customer of such launches”.
According to the general, it is completely inexpedient “not to save budget funds by using already acquired and accessible engines due to a political decision that aims to create a domestic ability in the field of space launches”.
“We all agree with this (ie such a goal). The only question is how quickly we can achieve it, if we look at things realistically. We should not tie our hands to ourselves, ”he added.
When asked whether "the possibility of acquiring a license from Russia is still being considered with a view to setting up production of the RD-180 in the United States," Welch replied: "I don’t know how this is now."
The newspaper reminds that in December 2014 Mr. McCain introduced an amendment to the Senate to the defense budget, prohibiting the purchase of RD-180 rocket engines manufactured by Energomash. An exception is the consortium of Boeing and Lockheed Martin, which is allowed to purchase engines under the current contract to 2019.
The defense budget was signed by Obama at the end of last year with the McCain Amendment. That is, after the 2019, the Pentagon will be able to use the RD-180 only if they were produced before the Crimea joined the Russian Federation.
Meanwhile, RSC Energia stated that “Russian specialists adapted RD-180 engines supplied to the USA for Atlas missiles for manned launches.” It was also announced the signing of a contract for the supply of 60 rocket engines RD-181 American company Orbital Sciences Corporation.
Information