A US Navy destroyer launches a Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) during a test. Aerojet Rocketdyne provides propulsion for most Raytheon missiles, including the SM-6. (US Navy)

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a lawsuit on 25 January seeking to block US defence contractor Lockheed Martin's proposed USD4.4 billion acquisition of US propulsion manufacturer Aerojet Rocketdyne, saying the combination could reduce competition in the missile market.

The FTC described Aerojet Rocketdyne as the last independent provider of missile propulsion in the United States and the only US supplier of divert-and-attitude control systems for missile defence kill vehicles. Lockheed Martin, meanwhile, is one of only a few prime contractors for missiles.

“If consummated, this deal would give Lockheed the ability to cut off other defence contractors from the critical components they need to build competing missiles,” said FTC Bureau of Competition Director Holly Vedova. “Without competitive pressure, Lockheed can jack up the price the US government has to pay, while delivering lower quality and less innovation.”

A US Navy destroyer launches a Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) during a test. Aerojet Rocketdyne provides propulsion for most Raytheon missiles, including the SM-6. (US Navy)

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a lawsuit on 25 January seeking to block US defence contractor Lockheed Martin's proposed USD4.4 billion acquisition of US propulsion manufacturer Aerojet Rocketdyne, saying the combination could reduce competition in the missile market.

The FTC described Aerojet Rocketdyne as the last independent provider of missile propulsion in the United States and the only US supplier of divert-and-attitude control systems for missile defence kill vehicles. Lockheed Martin, meanwhile, is one of only a few prime contractors for missiles.

“If consummated, this deal would give Lockheed the ability to cut off other defence contractors from the critical components they need to build competing missiles,” said FTC Bureau of Competition Director Holly Vedova. “Without competitive pressure, Lockheed can jack up the price the US government has to pay, while delivering lower quality and less innovation.”

A US Navy destroyer launches a Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) during a test. Aerojet Rocketdyne provides propulsion for most Raytheon missiles, including the SM-6. (US Navy)

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a lawsuit on 25 January seeking to block US defence contractor Lockheed Martin's proposed USD4.4 billion acquisition of US propulsion manufacturer Aerojet Rocketdyne, saying the combination could reduce competition in the missile market.

The FTC described Aerojet Rocketdyne as the last independent provider of missile propulsion in the United States and the only US supplier of divert-and-attitude control systems for missile defence kill vehicles. Lockheed Martin, meanwhile, is one of only a few prime contractors for missiles.

“If consummated, this deal would give Lockheed the ability to cut off other defence contractors from the critical components they need to build competing missiles,” said FTC Bureau of Competition Director Holly Vedova. “Without competitive pressure, Lockheed can jack up the price the US government has to pay, while delivering lower quality and less innovation.”

A US Navy destroyer launches a Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) during a test. Aerojet Rocketdyne provides propulsion for most Raytheon missiles, including the SM-6. (US Navy)

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a lawsuit on 25 January seeking to block US defence contractor Lockheed Martin's proposed USD4.4 billion acquisition of US propulsion manufacturer Aerojet Rocketdyne, saying the combination could reduce competition in the missile market.

The FTC described Aerojet Rocketdyne as the last independent provider of missile propulsion in the United States and the only US supplier of divert-and-attitude control systems for missile defence kill vehicles. Lockheed Martin, meanwhile, is one of only a few prime contractors for missiles.

“If consummated, this deal would give Lockheed the ability to cut off other defence contractors from the critical components they need to build competing missiles,” said FTC Bureau of Competition Director Holly Vedova. “Without competitive pressure, Lockheed can jack up the price the US government has to pay, while delivering lower quality and less innovation.”

A US Navy destroyer launches a Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) during a test. Aerojet Rocketdyne provides propulsion for most Raytheon missiles, including the SM-6. (US Navy)

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a lawsuit on 25 January seeking to block US defence contractor Lockheed Martin's proposed USD4.4 billion acquisition of US propulsion manufacturer Aerojet Rocketdyne, saying the combination could reduce competition in the missile market.

The FTC described Aerojet Rocketdyne as the last independent provider of missile propulsion in the United States and the only US supplier of divert-and-attitude control systems for missile defence kill vehicles. Lockheed Martin, meanwhile, is one of only a few prime contractors for missiles.

“If consummated, this deal would give Lockheed the ability to cut off other defence contractors from the critical components they need to build competing missiles,” said FTC Bureau of Competition Director Holly Vedova. “Without competitive pressure, Lockheed can jack up the price the US government has to pay, while delivering lower quality and less innovation.”

A US Navy destroyer launches a Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) during a test. Aerojet Rocketdyne provides propulsion for most Raytheon missiles, including the SM-6. (US Navy)

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a lawsuit on 25 January seeking to block US defence contractor Lockheed Martin's proposed USD4.4 billion acquisition of US propulsion manufacturer Aerojet Rocketdyne, saying the combination could reduce competition in the missile market.

The FTC described Aerojet Rocketdyne as the last independent provider of missile propulsion in the United States and the only US supplier of divert-and-attitude control systems for missile defence kill vehicles. Lockheed Martin, meanwhile, is one of only a few prime contractors for missiles.

“If consummated, this deal would give Lockheed the ability to cut off other defence contractors from the critical components they need to build competing missiles,” said FTC Bureau of Competition Director Holly Vedova. “Without competitive pressure, Lockheed can jack up the price the US government has to pay, while delivering lower quality and less innovation.”