The US Air Force signed a contract with Mask for the delivery of military cargo on a rocket to the right point on the planet
Customers: UNITED STATES AIR FORCE (USAF) Contractors: Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) Project date: 2022/01
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On January 20, 2022, it became known that SpaceX won a US Air Force contract worth more than $102 million for the transportation of military cargo and humanitarian aid around the world using heavy missiles.
The contract is part of the Rocket Cargo program, which involves studying the use of large commercial missiles for the Department of Defense's global logistics. The Air Force Research Laboratory uses the SpaceX contract to better understand the limitations and feasibility of using space launch vehicles to transport cargo from point to point and how commercial capabilities can be adapted for use by the Department of Defense.
The contract was concluded on January 14 for a period of 5 years worth more than $102 million. The contract does not specify which missiles will SpaceX be used for the program.
Rocket Cargo program manager Greg Spangers said the Department of Defense is interested in being able to deliver cargo anywhere in the world to provide humanitarian assistance. According to him, the goal is for the government to be ready to use a commercial service as soon as the industry matures.
Commercial suppliers provide for fixed point-to-point transportation to established facilities, a commercial service in which they will certainly be interested when it becomes available, he said. |
According to Spandzhers, within the Rocket Cargo program Research laboratory of the Air Force will collect data on the environment necessary for the program, during starts and landings of SpaceX.
Spangers also said that in most places where disasters occur, there are no commercial cosmodromes nearby, adding that the Air Force is studying a wide range of landing options in rural areas. The US Air Force will also consider concluding contracts with other launch vehicle suppliers in the future to help implement the program.[1]