Aerojet Rocketdyne's AR1 completes critical design review

Aerojet Rocketdyne announced today its AR1 engine has passed a critical design review.

The system-level review comes after the completion of 22 incremental CDRs as well as key testing of the rocket engine's major subsystems. The AR1 is in the running, along with Blue Origin's BE-4 engine, to power United Launch Alliance's new Vulcan launch vehicle.

The CDR validated the engine's design as well as the processes the company will use to produce the engines. Julie Van Kleeck, the company's vice president of advanced space and launch programs and strategy, said in a May 8 press release the CDR further confirms Aerojet's ability to deliver a certified, production-ready engine by 2019.

"Aerojet Rocketdyne understands the exacting engine development and launch vehicle integration processes required for National Security Space missions," the release states. "We have the resources and capabilities in place to support national security launches using the AR1 as the booster engine starting in 2020."