Lockheed, Boeing Reportedly Considering The Offer

Sacramento, CA-based Aerojet Rocketdyne has reportedly made a bid to purchase United Launch Alliance, a joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Boeing.

ULA is a launch contractor for NASA, the Department of Defense, and other government agencies.

The Sacramento Bee reports that the bid was first reported by Reuters and the Wall Street Journal. Aerojet Rocketdyne already supplies rocket engines to ULA.

While Lockheed and Boeing officials are said to be "looking" at the offer, there has been nothing resembling official talks between the parties ... and all are playing the situation close to the vest.

Aerojet's last big deal was its acquisition of Rocketdyne from Pratt & Whitney in 2013 for a reported $550 million.

Defense News reports that if the acquisition goes through, Aerojet Rocketdyne would become a fully integrated launch company, and would be better able to compete with SpaceX, which was certified to conduct launches for the U.S. military under the USAF's Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program earlier this year.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.rocket.com