Rocket and Propulsion Technology Research (RAPTR) at Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) RQ-West detachment at Edwards Air Force Base, CA, under subcontract to Jacobs.


Under the Rocket and Propulsion Technology Research (RAPTR) contract, Exquadrum provides on-site basic, exploratory and experimental research and development (R&D) support to the AFRL/RQ-West under subcontract to Jacobs for development and transitioning of a wide spectrum of rocket and space propulsion-related technologies to the warfighter. Specific scientific and technical R&D areas include combustion processes, fluid dynamics and materials sciences; chemical/material sciences; aerophysics and plasma physics; analytical chemistry; in-space propulsion; high-payoff propulsion technologies; and high energy density matter.

Jacobs was selected by U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, Aerospace Systems Directorate West (AFRL/RQ-West), for the RATPR contract at Edwards Air Force Base in California. AFRL/RQ-West is part of the Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC). RAPTR provides on-site research and development to the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL/RQ-West) across a wide spectrum of propulsion-related areas. As a subcontractor to Jacobs, Exquadrum conducts scientific and engineering research, development, and testing in propulsion sciences (thermodynamics, structures, combustion, fluid flows, chemistry, propellants, materials, plasma devices, missile components/systems, etc.) for the AFRL Propulsion Directorate. Exquadrum has been directly supporting the Propulsion Directorate for over 15 years in technical areas which are highly complementary to its support under the RAPTR contract.

The $225 million, cost-plus-fixed-fee award has an eight-year, 10-month period of performance that commences April 1, 2020, with a 24-month base period, and includes two 41-month option periods.