ms. van kleeck, what technology does the rd-180 use and why is it important that we bring that technology to the u.s.? >> well, the rd-180 is what's called an oxford stage combustion engine. it's a closed cycle engine it's the most efficient engine that can be -- chemical rockets that can be used. the space shuttle is also one of these engines. the russians pie your neared and perfected the oxford stage combustion engine during the cold war and the u.s. didn't -- the u.s. perfected solids and hydrogen systems. so it's a high performing hydro cashedon system. some of things that are in it are advanced coding, advanced materials. it's very compact, very high pressure. those are things, particularly the materials were things that this country did not choose to pursue and did not develop. and so that is where the -- there is a technology gap in this particular variant of rocket engines in this country. >> mr. meyerson, would you agree with that assessment? >> in terms of the rd-180 and the importance and the efficiency of the cycling, yes, i agree. if you look back to the time that lockheed m

ms. van kleeck? >> i assume you're representing the current acquisition process that's under way. >> yes, ma'am. >> and there's a process that's well spelled out in that. it does focus on an ultimate launch service as opposed to an engine. but it's spelled out. i think there's a lot of different paths that that particular process can go. >> mr. culbertson. >> yes, sir. we understand the requirements of the air force and what they're looking for and we think it is focused on a system that could be developed in a public/private partnership that would give the government the most openings for competition as well as success. >> with regards to the ongoing source selection activity i don't think it's appropriate for me to comment on that right now because i wouldn't want to upset anything that would undo that source selection. >> do you have any comment on this? you're not building an engine but you're going to be buying it. >> i believe the requirements and the rps activity that you're referring to are v