Stemming from the complaint that SpaceX has made against the US Air Force, the US Court of Federal Claims has temporarily barred the Boeing/Lockheed consortium United Launch Alliance from purchasing any more RD-180 engines from Russia on account that its supplier RD AMROSS is itself supplied by part owner and engine manufacturer NPO Energomash which, it is claimed is controlled by Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Rogozin. This results from the fact that Rogozin is subject to US sanctions over the Russian annexation over parts of Ukraine. Rogozin had earlier protested that his connection was only very loose with the firm. Dmitry Rogozin tweeted : “Do they think that I keep the money from sales of our engines from state enterprises for myself? Morons.”
ULA provides US government agencies (US Air Force, NRO etc) with launches. ULA is reported to have enough engines for two years worth of Atlas V launches. While the firm has the Delta IV as an all-crygogenic alternative “all American” launch vehicle in its stable, the LOx/Kerosene first stage Atlas V is regarded as a more cost effectively launch vehicle for certain missions.
