The Missile Defense Agency has awarded Pratt and Whitney Rocketdyne a $14 million contract to test new liquid-propulsion technologies that could be used to help intercept incoming ballistic missiles.

The tests, using a liquid Divert and Attitude Control System (DACS), are designed to enhance performance and reduce technological risks associated with the SM-3 Block IIB missile. Pratt and Whitney Rocketdyne is a United Technologies company.

"Pratt and Whitney Rocketdyne is pleased to have been selected to work on this high-priority program for the Missile Defense Agency," said Bruce Janeski, program manager, SM-3 Block IIB, Pratt and Whitney Rocketdyne.

"We look forward to leveraging the high reliability and performance from our existing DACS technologies, which have demonstrated 100 percent mission success, and working with our customer in this next phase to provide even more capability."

The SM-3 Block IIB missile is part of the Missile Defense Agency's Phased Adaptive Approach, which is focused on protecting the U.S. and Europe from regional threats. The SM-3 Block IIB missile is scheduled to be deployed in 2020.

The liquid DACS is a high-precision, lightweight propulsion system that capitalizes on technologies developed by Pratt and Whitney Rocketdyne over the last two decades.

Using liquid-fueled thrusters, the DACS is designed to quickly and accurately position an interceptor into the path of an incoming missile. The DACS powers the last stage of the interceptor, or Kinetic Vehicle, which provides the maneuvering and steering accuracy needed to directly impact ballistic missiles traveling at high speeds.