Northrop Grumman Corp and Firefly Aerospace have joined forces to develop a US-built first-stage upgrade for the Antares rocket which is currently powered by Russian-built RD-181 engines. Due to the war in Ukraine, Russia halted all sales of its rocket engines to the USA in March.

Scott Lehr, Northrop Grumman vice president and general manager (launch and missile defense systems), said: “Through our collaboration, we will first develop a fully domestic version of our Antares rocket, the Antares 330, for Cygnus space station commercial re-supply services, followed by an entirely new medium-class launch vehicle. Northrop Grumman and Firefly have been working on a combined strategy and technical development plan to meet current and future launch requirements.”

Firefly’s propulsion technology uses the same propellants as the Russian Antares rocket, which minimises launch site upgrades. The Antares 330 will utilise seven of Firefly’s Miranda engines and leverage its composites technology for the first stage structures and tanks, while Northrop Grumman provides its proven avionics and software, upper-stage structures and Castor 30XL motor, as well as proven vehicle integration and launch pad operations. This new stage will also significantly increase Antares mass to orbit capability.

Peter Schumacher, Firefly interim CEO, said: “Firefly prides itself on being a disrupter in the new space industry and collaborating with a proven space pioneer like Northrop Grumman will help us continue that disruption.”

The Antares 330 performance upgrade will enable Northrop Grumman to continue to support the company’s current contracts while planning for future mission capabilities.