United Launch Alliance (ULA) President and CEO Tory Bruno testified today to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Armed Services, Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, regarding the future of space launch and how his company is innovating and transforming to provide more affordable space launch services.
Hearing Replay – Assuring Assured Access to Space – House Armed Services Cmte – 2015-03-17
Bruno noted that space systems are an integral part of today’s technology-driven world and are critical to not only our national security, but to the country’s economic prosperity and scientific advancement. ULA’s launch record of reliable, on time, and on or under budget – all with 100 percent mission success — position ULA to remain the undisputed leader of this industry. In addition, Bruno also noted that a GAO report released last week confirmed that ULA’s collaboration with the Air Force on improved acquisition through a five-year block buy resulted in $4.4 billion in savings for the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program, accounting for one quarter of the total savings.
During his testimony, Bruno reiterated that only ULA has the capability to launch all of the nation’s assets which means that it is critical for ULA to maintain its supply of the RD-180 engine that is the workhorse of the Atlas launch vehicle until their new launch system is in place. The new launch system, which includes an American made engine, is expected to produce its first flight in 2019 with full certification in 2022-2023.
“If the RD-180 is prematurely cut off before a new engine and vehicle is certified, there will be no other launch provider who can perform the full range of launch capabilities currently required under the law,” Bruno said referring to Assured Access to Space which requires that the nation maintain two launch vehicles at all times to support the nation’s launch requirements. “The current narrow interpretation of the Defense Authorization bill could preclude ULA from receiving previously ordered engines, which means the Air Force would only have one provider. Not only is that anti-competitive, it puts the Air Force national security mission requirements at risk.”
“The space launch industry is entering a new era and we couldn’t be more excited about our role in transforming the nation’s launch capabilities,” said Bruno, a 30-year veteran of the rocket industry. “ULA knows what it takes to provide assured access to space, and we’re very proud to be the nation’s provider. We are building on that success by creating a next generation launch vehicle that will maintain all the reliability and heritage of the Atlas and Delta, but will be more affordable with higher capability to meet the country’s future needs.”
Hearing Witnesses
Mr. Salvatore T. “Tory” Bruno
President and Chief Executive Officer, United Launch Alliance
Witness Statement [PDF]
Witness Biography [PDF]
General John E. Hyten, USAF
Commander, U.S. Air Force Space Command
Witness Statement [PDF]
Witness Biography [PDF]
Dr. William A. LaPlante
Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Department of Defense
Witness Statement [PDF]
Witness Biography [PDF]
The Honorable Katrina G. McFarland
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Department of Defense
Witness Statement [PDF]
Witness Biography [PDF]
Major General Howard J. “Mitch” Mitchell, USAF (Ret.)
Chairman, USAF-Chartered RD-180 Availability Risk Mitigation Study
Witness Statement [PDF]
Witness Biography [PDF]
Ms. Gwynne Shotwell
President and Chief Operating Officer, Space Exploration Technologies Corporation
Witness Statement [PDF]
Witness Biography [PDF]
