For more information, contact:
Eric Schmidt, President
760-530-7922
Eric.Schmidt@exquadrum.com
ADELANTO, CA, January 28, 2021–Successfully completing the second series of hot-fire tests of a revolutionary new rocket, being certified as a social disadvantaged, minority-owned small business by the Small Business Administration (SBA), dramatically expanding its technical services division,and winning several new contracts to support the Nation’s Research and Development (R&D) efforts in rocket technology were among the highlights for Exquadrum in 2020.
In June, Exquadrum successfully completed its second and final hot-fire test of the revolutionary new rocket being developed to accomplish the DARPA Operational Fires (OpFires) advanced hypersonic weapon system mission objectives. The full-scale, full-duration test program demonstrated all critical aspects of Exquadrum’s new rocket technology and provided key engineering data for future designs. Exquadrum’s unique liquid augmented solid motor has a wide range of throttle ability and energy management capability, which proved ideal for the OpFires mission objectives. This test was the culmination of Phase 2 of the company’s $15.1M prime contract, which was awarded to Exquadrum in September 2018.
Exquadrum was certified into the SBA 8(a) Business Development program in August as a socially disadvantaged, minority-owned company. With this 8(a) certification, Exquadrum will be able to expand on their impressive capabilities as they venture into a broader range of technical service opportunities and increase the value of their technical expertise to the US Government through prime contracts and to traditional aerospace/defense prime contractors in joint ventures, Mentor-Protégé Agreements, and teammate/subcontractor roles.
Exquadrum was awarded the Logistics for Aerospace Research and Development Operations (LAREDO) contract in early 2020 at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL/RQ-West), Edwards Air Force Base(EAFB), California. Under LAREDO, Exquadrum supports operations at the “Rocket Lab”in the areas of logistics material control, hazardous material management, quality assurance, and vehicle control. Exquadrum’s extensive background in logistics support at the Rocket Lab played a significant role in the new award.
Jacobs Technology teamed with Exquadrum, ERC, and HX5 on the AFRL, Rocket and Propulsion Technology Research contract (RAPTR) at EAFB. Under RAPTR, Exquadrum supports Jacobs in providing on-site basic, exploratory and experimental R&D support to the AFRL/RQ-West for the development and transitioning of a wide spectrum of rocket and space propulsion-related technologies to the warfighter.
Exquadrum continued its tradition of intensive rocket testing in 2020 with a range of R&D programs making “smoke and fire” on a weekly basis. Project teams advanced to rocket testing a green, liquid propellant engine for a missile defense target stage. Exquadrum and its key team members produced flight-weight hardware for a NASA Small Launch Vehicle (SLV)upper stage. Rocket motor testing was also successfully completed for a range of customers for small satellite space as well as tactical applications. For example, Exquadrum successfully developed and validated a new air-to-air missile propulsion system through an extensive hot-fire test program. Finally, Exquadrum’s new line of pyro flare igniters were demonstrated in a prototype turbojet engine for application in advanced autonomous vehicle and weapon systems.
Exquadrum held its groundbreaking on their new corporate headquarters at Southern California Logistics Airport (SCLA) in March 2020. This66,000 square foot building will allow Exquadrum to house all of its engineering staff, business operations, fabrication/manufacturing, and laboratories all under one roof in the Mojave River Valley. Exquadrum will move into their new corporate headquarters in the first quarter of 2021 and will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony shortly thereafter. In addition to its new headquarters, Exquadrum doubled its FORGE test site and added Test Pad C as part of its growing rotating machinery test capabilities.To accomplish the demands of 2020, Exquadrum expanded its workforce over 20% and plans further expansion as new R&D and technical services opportunities arise in 2021.