The US Air Force (USAF) has named “Rocket Cargo” as its fourth “Vanguard” programme, meaning the concept is a top science and technology devel

US Air Force gets serious about delivering military cargo via space rocket

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2021-06-05 10:30:07

The US Air Force (USAF) has named “Rocket Cargo” as its fourth “Vanguard” programme, meaning the concept is a top science and technology development priority for the service.

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) will advance the technology, studying the viability of using large commercial rockets to deliver US Department of Defense (DoD) cargo anywhere in the world – in 90min or less, it says on 4 June. Recent advancements in large, reusable commercial rockets have made the concept seem feasible, the lab says.

It wants to piggyback on commercial rocket cargo efforts via “service leases”, but declines to name potential commercial partners. However, SpaceX offers reusable rockets that might be retrofit candidates. Blue Origin is also developing reusable rockets.

“This includes the ability to land a rocket on a wide range of non-traditional materials and surfaces, including at remote sites,” the laboratory says. “In addition, AFRL scientists and engineers will research the ability to safely land a rocket near personnel and structures, engineer a rocket cargo bay and logistics for rapid loading and unloading, and air drop cargo from the rocket after re-entry in order to service locations where a rocket or aircraft cannot possibly land.”