Northrop Getting into Spaceplane Business?

It's actually sort of old news but I haven't seen anything posted on it so here goes...

Northrop Grumman has come to an agreement with famed aircraft designer Burt Rutan to purchase Scaled Composites, the company that won the 1st Space X Prize with Spaceship One in 2004. The sale will become final in August if it meets all regulatory standards.

It is said that this move will not pollute the vision of Scaled, just give them more capital to play with. It not only puts Northrop in the Spaceplane business but it deepens the toybox that Scaled Composites can dig in for their military UAV projects.

More here:
"Northrop Grumman to add to space business": Newsday.Com, July 23, 2007

Hmmm. A Rutan designed Scaled built Lunar Lander anyone? Scaled composites is one of the true innovators already and with the ownership moving from 40 to 100 percent that would allow some largesse financially. I wonder if they will keep the same teams and staff together? One would hope'.

The move must be significant for it to occur now as Scaled is in demand with the Pegasus wing structure and the Branson deal. BTW: The White Knight II engine contract has been let and I like the choice (Canadian-made) P&W308 for entirely selfish nationalistic reasons... a link.

Cheers,

Vic