U.S. Air Force Requests Proposals for the Next-Generation Space Launch Vehicle

As a follow-up to their previous requests for new engines to propel our next-generation rockets, now the U.S. Air Force has called for proposals to build the next generation “Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicles,” or EELV.

Mandated by a congressional requirement to transition away from their current reliance on the Russian RD-180 engine, the U.S. Air Force is expecting responses from SpaceX, ULA (a joint venture by Lockheed and Boeing called the United Launch Alliance) and Orbital ATK.

The intent is to have at least two domestic launch systems available for the U.S. military’s heaviest and most sensitive payloads. 

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