Aerolloy Technologies, a subsidiary of PTC Industries, has secured a development and supply order from Blue Origin to manufacture large superalloy investment castings for the BE-4 engines used in the first stage of New Glenn launch vehicle. The components are critical for the engine’s performance, safety and reusability. This win underscores Aerolloy’s capabilities in producing high-precision components for space applications.
Orbital Launch System Entry
Aerolloy Technologies Limited (ATL) has received a development and supply order from Blue Origin for large, high-integrity Superalloy investment castings. These castings will be used in the BE-4 engines that power the first stage of New Glenn, Blue Origin’s heavy-lift orbital launch vehicle.
Critical Hardware for Propulsion
The order encompasses large Nickel-based Superalloy castings designed for Liquid Oxygen (LOX) high-pressure and low-pressure housings and manifolds. These are essential for the seven-engine BE-4 cluster on New Glenn’s first stage.
Rare Manufacturing Capability
The production of very-large vacuum investment castings in Superalloys for orbital-class engines is a rare capability possessed by a limited number of companies worldwide. This reflects the extreme technical and quality requirements.
Regulatory Compliance
The order follows the completion of extensive qualification and applicable international regulatory and compliance processes. This underscores Aerolloy’s credibility as a trusted supplier for sensitive space propulsion programs.
Melting Infrastructure Advancement
These castings will be enabled by Aerolloy’s recently commissioned Vacuum Induction Melting (VIM) furnace. This furnace is one of the largest VIM furnaces currently in operation globally, specifically designed to support such large Superalloy castings.
Manufacturing for Rocket Engines
The order is for the manufacture of large Superalloy investment castings to be used on BE-4 rocket engines on the first stage of New Glenn.
Partnership for LOX Systems
Aerolloy will be producing large Nickel-based Superalloy housings and manifolds that are necessary for Liquid Oxygen (LOX) high-pressure and low-pressure systems. These components will function under demanding thermal, chemical, and pressure conditions.
About the New Glenn Program
New Glenn is Blue Origin’s reusable heavy-lift orbital launch vehicle, which first achieved orbit in January 2025. The rocket’s first stage is driven by seven BE-4 engines, with each engine outputting approximately 550,000 lbf (~2,450 kN) of thrust.
Component Contribution
The Superalloy LOX housings and manifolds provided by Aerolloy are mission-critical components, directly influencing engine performance, safety, and reusability.
Benefits to Blue Origin
The cooperation with Aerolloy gives Blue Origin access to one of a limited number of global manufacturers capable of producing large Superalloy investment castings for orbital-class engines.
Implications for Aerolloy and PTC Industries
This establishes Aerolloy as a qualified supplier for orbital-class propulsion hardware.
Source: BSE
