Sierra Nevada Corporation Wins Advanced Propulsion Contract

Will Create Hypersonic Propulsion System for DARPA

SPARKS, Nev., December 17, 2018 – Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) has won a contract to develop innovative propulsion systems for the initial phase of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) Operational Fires, or OpFires, program.

“SNC is very excited to have the opportunity to apply its expertise and unique engine technologies to the OpFires program and support our national interests,” said Thomas Crabb, vice president of propulsion and environmental systems, a division of SNC’s Space Systems business area. “We see great opportunity to field more capable and flexible systems in a few short years, not only for OpFires, but for other applications as well.”

This phase of the program aims to develop propulsion systems that can support a wide operational range envelope, and be suitable for integration and delivery of a variety of payloads.

OpFires is also intended to address challenges in penetrating modern air defenses, as well as providing the capability to engage critical time-sensitive threats.

SNC has developed a variety of liquid and hybrid propulsion systems over the past several decades for a wide range of applications, including VORTEX® engine technology that drives performance and simplicity. The OpFires propulsion system will build on that heritage, while advancing state of the art technology.

About Sierra Nevada Corporation

Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) is a trusted leader in solving the world’s toughest challenges through advanced engineering technologies in Space Systems, Commercial Solutions, and National Security and Defense. Honored as one of the most innovative U.S. companies in space, SNC’s Space Systems business area designs and manufactures advanced spacecraft and satellite solutions, space habitats and environmental systems, propulsion systems, precision space mechanisms and subsystems, and SNC’s celebrated Dream Chaser® spacecraft. With 30 years of space heritage working with the U.S. government, commercial customers, and the international market, SNC has participated in more than 450 successful space missions and delivered 4,000+ systems, subsystems and components around the world. For more information, visit www.sncorp.com.

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