MOJAVE, Calif. and ARLINGTON, Va., Nov.
14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- XCOR Aerospace announced today
that it has issued the initial phase of a two-phase contract to
ATK's Aerospace Structures Division (NYSE: ATK) for the detailed
design and manufacture of the Lynx Mark I suborbital reusable
launch vehicle (RLV) wings and control surfaces. This announcement
represents a critical milestone in the march toward assembly, test
and entry into commercial service of the Lynx.
(Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121114/CG13140-a)
(Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121114/CG13140-b)
"This partnership with XCOR will provide unique insights and
innovations," said Andrew Jackson,
vice president of ATK's Aerospace Structures Division Launch
Segment. "ATK is honored to continue our heritage in creating
composite manufacturing solutions for spaceflight and excited to
engage in this commercial environment with XCOR."
"As an established industry leader it is only natural that XCOR
sought to work with ATK as a key collaborator in the development of
Lynx wings," said XCOR Chief Executive Officer Jeff Greason. "Our engagements with ATK
impressed me from the start, not only due to their position as a
leader in the industry, but through their immediate grasp of the
unique challenges we face in the construction of Lynx wings. The
story of Lynx is the story of sound design and reliable
engineering. We could not be more thrilled to work with
ATK."
XCOR Chief Operating Officer Andrew
Nelson added that "until recently NewSpace companies and
established aerospace primes like ATK often had minimal interaction
with companies like XCOR as the subcontractor. With this effort we
are establishing a model of how smaller NewSpace companies may
utilize established government primes as our suppliers; ATK has
demonstrated they are nimble, cost effective and can leverage deep
experience from prior larger projects."
The initial wing and control surface design has been developed
by XCOR to rigorous design standards to enable the craft to perform
tens of thousands of flights to and from suborbital altitudes
exceeding 100 kilometers. ATK will create a detailed design
ready for manufacture, working with structural and flutter analysis
experts from Quartus Engineering in San
Diego, Ca. The wings will be installed on the Lynx Mark I,
which is the prototype of the Lynx family of suborbital RLVs from
XCOR; the production models are called Lynx Mark II.
About XCOR Aerospace: XCOR Aerospace is based in
Mojave, California. It is
currently starting the process to create a new Research and
Development Center in Midland,
Texas. XCOR builds safe, reliable and reusable
rocket-powered vehicles, propulsion systems, advanced non-flammable
composites and rocket piston pumps. XCOR works with aerospace prime
contractors and government customers on major propulsion systems,
while also building Lynx. Lynx is a piloted, two-seat, fully
reusable liquid rocket-powered vehicle that takes-off and lands
horizontally. The Lynx-family of vehicles serves three primary
missions depending on their specific type including: research &
scientific missions, private spaceflight, and micro satellite
launch (only on the Lynx Mark III). Lynx production models
(designated Lynx Mark II) are designed to be robust, multi-mission
(research / scientific or private spaceflight) commercial vehicles
capable of flying to 100+ km in altitude up to four times per day.
Lynx vehicles are available to customers in the free world on a wet
lease basis. (www.xcor.com).
About ATK: ATK is an aerospace, defense, and commercial products
company with operations in 21 states, Puerto Rico, and internationally. News
and information can be found on the Internet at www.atk.com.
Certain information discussed in this press release constitutes
forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although ATK believes that the
expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based
on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its
expectations will be achieved. Forward-looking information is
subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those projected. Among
those factors are: future levels of business in the aerospace and
commercial transport industries or in the number of launch vehicles
to be built; the success and timely progression of XCOR's Lynx
program. ATK undertakes no obligation to update any
forward-looking statements. For further information on factors that
could impact ATK, and statements contained herein, please refer to
ATK's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent
quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K
filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contacts:
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Bryan
Campen
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Lisa
Roskelley
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Director
of Media Relations
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Media
Contact
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XCOR
Aerospace, Inc.
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ATK
Aerospace Structures Division
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Phone +1
(630) 877-0225
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+1 (801)
300-1786
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Email:
press@xcor.com
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lisa.roskelley@atk.com
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SOURCE ATK