Vaya Space Signs Agreement With Army DEVCOM Aviation and Missile Center

Vaya Space, a space and defense company, has signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation and Missile Center (DEVCOM AvMC). The partnership will explore Vaya Space's vortex hybrid propulsion technology for surface-to-surface missile applications. This agreement allows Vaya to further demonstrate the engine's operational capabilities for either existing missile systems or new long-range missiles.

The CRADA follows Vaya Space's successful demonstration of their 8 kN test engine, inspired by the Hellfire tactical missile. The engine, designed and built within six months at Vaya's expense, showed its ability to throttle and restart, impressing representatives from Army Futures Command, DEVCOM AvMC, and defense primes. This performance led to the CRADA's initiation.

Robert Fabian, Vaya's COO, emphasized the flexibility and control of their proprietary technology, which is not commonly seen in tactical missiles. The CRADA aims to start designing a larger test missile in collaboration with Army experts, focusing on the operational and logistical needs to potentially deploy the system.

Vaya Space plans to advance its engine testing to meet the rigorous conditions required by missile systems. With over 120 successful hot-fire tests, the company is confident in addressing the standards of surface-to-surface missile systems. The technology may also find broader applications in hypersonic weapons and missile defense targets for the U.S. Army, Air Force, and Navy.