Impacts from a loss of the Russian-made RD-180 rocket engine are significant and action must be taken during fiscal year 2014 to mitigate those impacts, according to a key Defense Department report. The summary from the key RD-180 study panel convened by DoD suggests issuing an acquisition decision memorandum (ADM) directing the development of a new liquid oxygen (LOX) oxidizer/hydrocarbon fuel rocket engine. It also suggests including a next-generation launch vehicle and directing full funding in a FY '16 program…
