NASA awards aerospace propulsion rotorcraft systems contracts to three firms

NASA's Glenn Research Center has awarded contracts to three companies to provide advanced rotorcraft integrated propulsion/airframe technologies in support of the agency's aerospace propulsion research and technology development activities.

Each of the three indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contracts provide for fixed price, cost share and cost reimbursement competitive tasks with a combined maximum value of $4.5 million.

The companies selected are Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. of Hurst, Texas; The Boeing Company, Boeing Research and Technology of Seattle, Wash.; and United Technologies Corporation, Pratt & Whitney Military Engines of East Hartford, Conn.

The selected companies will perform work in five disciplines: concept development and systems studies, advanced transmission technologies, integrated propulsion system technologies, rotorcraft icing and rotorcraft health management technologies.

The work to be performed will provide for the development and demonstration of advanced integrated propulsion - airframe technologies to enable future rotorcraft to obtain high cruise speed, large payload and long range capability and ultra-safe and low noise operations that will be required of next generation vertical lift civil transport systems.