The U.S. Air Force has requested information on the availability of locally made rocket engines that the service can use for its Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program.
AF is looking to utilize industry’s existing launch systems or alternative configurations to currently used boosters in EELV-class platforms, the branch said Wednesday in a FedBizOpps notice.
The service asked launch vehicle and propulsion system manufacturers to propose strategies to address technology cost, risk and maturation issues in national security space launch missions.
The AF request for information says the branch is interested in strategies “that potentially could result in greater U.S. competitiveness in the commercial space arena.”
Industry can submit responses to the RFI until Sept. 19.
