SPACE WIRE
IHI to supply key rocket engine part to US firm: report
TOKYO (AFP) Apr 27, 2003
Japan's Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industrieswill supply a high-performance turbo fuel pump for use in US aerospace giant Pratt and Whitney Aircraft's next-generation rocket engine, a daily said Sunday.

With the deal, IHI will become the first Japanese firm to supply a key rocket engine part to a foreign company, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun said.

The Japanese comprehensive heavy machinery maker will supply the pump to be equipped with the RL 60 rocket engine with 27 tonnes of thrust, which will be developed by the end of 2005, the business daily said.

The turbo pump injects ultra-low-temperature liquid hydrogen into the engine combustion chamber.

IHI has already shipped one liquid-hydrogen pump for experimental use to Pratt and Whitney, which has long been a major supplier of rocket engines to Boeing and Lockheed Martin.

IHI aims to supply similar parts to other US and European aerospace firms.

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