Lockheed to acquire Aerojet

Lockheed Martin announced Sunday that it has signed a deal to acquire rocket engine and missile manufacturer Aerojet Rocketdyne of El Segundo, Calif., for $4.4 billion. James Taiclet, Lockheed Martin’s president and CEO, said the acquisition gives the company a larger footprint in space and hypersonic technology. Aerojet Rocketdyne’s propulsion systems already are key components of Lockheed Martin’s supply chain across several business areas. Aerojet Rocketdyne was formed in 2013 when GenCorp’s Aerojet and Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne merged. Its rocket engines portfolio includes the RL-10 that powers the upper stage of United Launch Alliance’s Delta 4 and Atlas 5 launch vehicles (Lockheed Martin owns 50 percent of United Launch Alliance) and the RS-25 engines for NASA’s Space Launch System. (Sources: multiple, including SpaceNews, Bloomberg, 12/20/20) Gulf Coast note: Aerojet Rocketdyne has operations at Stennis Space Center, Miss.