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House panel doubles authorized purchase of Russian rocket engines

The House Armed Services Committee voted Thursday morning to double the allowed purchase of Russian-made rocket engines from nine to 18, despite a desire to develop an American-made alternative. 

The committee adopted the amendment, by Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colo.), by voice vote, after vigorous debate that did not fall along party lines. 

The Air Force relies on United Launch Alliance -- a Lockheed and Boeing joint venture -- for its sensitive national security space launches, which uses a launch vehicle reliant on the RD-180 engines. 

After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014, lawmakers sought to cut ties with Russian defense companies and end reliance on the Russian rocket engines by as early as 2019.