Rocketdyne to Build Plant to Test Engine for Hypersonic Jet
From Associated Press
Rocketdyne officials Tuesday unveiled plans for the world’s largest hypersonic jet engine testing center, a facility to test components of the proposed National Aerospace Plane, also known as the X-30.
Rocketdyne, a division of Rockwell International Corp., is vying for the contract to build the space plane’s engines in competition with Pratt & Whitney.
Rocketdyne is spending $16 million to develop and build the test stand at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory, in the hills between the San Fernando Valley and Simi Valley, about 35 miles northwest of Los Angeles.
Rocketdyne was awarded a $100-million contract in September, 1987, for initial research on the engines and other technology associated with the experimental plane.
