SEATTLE, Dec. 2, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Andrews Space (Andrews) today announced that it has received two awards from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the United States Air Force to develop systems as part of the Force Application and Launch from CONUS (FALCON) Technology Demonstration Program. Andrews was selected to develop and validate technologies enabling affordable, responsive launch and both near-term and far-term capabilities to execute prompt global strike missions.
Under Task 1 of the FALCON Program, Andrews will develop a Small Launch Vehicle capable of taking off from a conventional military runway and deploying small satellites into orbit or munitions designed to strike targets 9,000 nautical miles distant in less than 2 hours. Andrews is committed to developing a system for DARPA and the Air Force that provides effective, reliable, responsive, and affordable launch capabilities with planned flexibility that accommodates the broadest range of payloads, insertion azimuths, and launch locations. Andrews will work with respected industry partners, including Vought Aircraft Industries, Aerojet -- General Corporation, Scaled Composites, XCOR Aerospace, Athena Technologies and Automated Control Environments Inc. to develop this innovative, affordable access to space vehicle system.
Under Task 2 of the FALCON Program, Andrews will concentrate on a Common Aero Vehicle (CAV) munitions delivery system integrated with a low-cost, operationally responsive, rocket booster. Andrews will develop its Enhanced CAV (ECAV) system to provide a revolutionary ability to execute responsive, effective, and affordable global strike. These efforts will produce technologies essential to future development of Hypersonic Cruise Vehicle (HCV) systems capable of high mach number flight over extended distances. Supporting Andrews on the project are leading aerospace firms, including Raytheon Company (Advanced Programs Product Line, Raytheon Missile Systems), Alliant Techsystems (formerly Allied Aerospace -- GASL Division), Aerojet -- General Corporation and the University of Maryland.
"Andrews is extremely pleased with the opportunity to work with our DARPA and Air Force customers to field critical transformational technologies such as the Hypersonic Cruise Vehicle and CAV systems," said Marian Joh, Andrews Space co-founder and CEO. Livingston Holder, Andrews Space's FALCON Program Manager, adds, "We are committed to DARPA's efforts to develop a Small Launch Vehicle capable of launching spacecraft at a fraction of today's costs."
The Andrews FALCON programs bring together a diverse set of complementary, industry leading talents to design and develop innovative systems that will work towards providing a revolutionary operational global force projection capability.
About the Company
Andrews Space is a privately held company developing new and innovative space transportation solutions for government and commercial markets. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Andrews' technical competencies include product/system development, space system design, propulsion system design, systems engineering, and business analysis. To learn more, please visit: www.andrews-space.com.