Marotta Controls to Develop Innovative Control Actuation System (CAS) for US Navy’s SPEAR Project

Marotta Controls, a rapidly growing aerospace and defense supplier based in New Jersey, announced today that it has designed and will be manufacturing a new Control Actuation System (CAS) for the U.S. Navy’s Supersonic Propulsion Enabled Advanced Ramjet (SPEAR) project. The Navy’s Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division is co-developing the SPEAR demonstrator with Boeing, which will help the Navy determine technical requirements for future carrier-based weapons systems. Marotta’s CAS will be utilized on SPEAR during its technology prove-out demonstration slated for late 2022.

“We truly do thrive on interesting, complex technology challenges at Marotta,” said Adit Girdhari, Business Development Director, Aerospace & Tactical Systems. “We’re designed for it. We have the best end-to-end engineering talent under one roof. We also have the necessary resources and tools to move quickly and efficiently without sacrificing quality. Not to mention direct experience in control actuation system development, which certainly helps us move faster. We’re proud to be part of Boeing’s time-critical project for the Navy and are deeply invested in helping SPEAR succeed.”

Marotta aims to accomplish testing in less than half the typical time by leveraging its newly acquired in-house test capabilities. The company recently announced the expansion of its in-house testing capabilities ultimately creating one of the U.S.’ most sophisticated test facilities. That expansion included the addition of state-of-the-art vibration testing systems capable of supporting the SPEAR CAS’s pre-flight qualification analysis. Marotta continues to expand its CAS portfolio, which currently includes systems for various missile diameters, power profiles, fin configurations, and applications. Notably, the portfolio achieves significant year-over-year revenue growth.

Supersonic speeds present an inarguably harsh performance environment. To satisfy this while also meeting thermal management and system weight requirements within the packaging specifications, Marotta is repurposing two different systems previously developed and qualified by Marotta. This hybrid solution minimizes technical risk and maximizes hardware re-use. The resulting CAS is a high-performance system consisting of high-power density electronics and electromechanical actuators. It will be capable of producing a minimum of 8,000 Watts of power and a bandwidth of greater than 18 Hertz.

Founded in 1943, Marotta Controls, Inc. is one of the technology businesses in New Jersey, specializing in the design, manufacture and integration of precision control components and systems. Early manufacturing sub-contracts for prime contractors such as General Electric Corporation and RCA enabled Marotta to gain experience in what was to become a particular area of expertise – precision valves and machined components for the rocket and guided missile industry. Marotta Controls portfolio includes pressure, power, motion, fluid, and electronic controls for tactical systems, shipboard and sub-sea applications, satellites, launch vehicles, and aircraft systems. With over 200 patents, Marotta Controls continues to build on its legacy as a highly respected, family-owned small business based in the state of New Jersey.