Marotta Controls to Develop Innovative Control Actuation System for U.S. Navy’s SPEAR Project

Marotta’s CAS to Perform in Supersonic Long-range Air-launch Environment

MONTVILLE, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--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.

Leveraging Experience, Solving Design Challenges

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.

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.

“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 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.

About Marotta Controls

Founded in 1943, Marotta Controls is a fully-integrated solutions provider which designs, develops, qualifies and manufactures innovative systems and sub-systems for the aerospace and defense sectors. Our 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. Twitter: @marottacontrols LinkedIn: Marotta Controls, Inc.

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. SPR#2020-992, 14 January 2021