3D Printing Will Reduce Reliance on Russian Rockets in US

Two companies, Dynetics in Huntsville, Alabama, and Aerojet Rocketdyne of Sacramento, California, have begun building replacement engines in lieu of the Pentagon getting the RD-180 from Russia, and they’re using 3D printing to create a major engine component -- the pre-burner. As the US has backed away from previous, positive trade relations with Russia following the latter’s invasion of Ukraine, the Pentagon has been seeking alternatives for producing the RD-180 rocket engine that plays a critical role in the launches of the Atlas V rocket, a key component of the military’s reconnaissance, communication, and navigation satellite program. Read more in the full article: http://3dprint.com/20496/3d-printed-us-rocket-engines/ ‎

Below is a picture of two RD-180 rocket engines, which currently use Russian technology and are transitioning toward 3D printed components:
http://3dprint.com/wp-content/upload...80delivery.jpg