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The Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles Air Force Base, CA has issued a pair of contracts to Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co. in Littleton, CO, related to the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program. The EELV program was designed to reduce the cost of government space launches through greater vehicle modularity, component standardization, and contractor competition, with system requirements that emphasized simplicity, commonality, standardization, new applications of existing technology, streamlined manufacturing capabilities, and more efficient launch-site processing.
Crosslink Magazine’s Winter 2004 article “EELV: The Next Stage of Space Launch” offers an excellent briefing that covers EELV’s program innovations and results, while a detailed National Taxpayer’s Union letter to Congress takes a much less positive view. The two contracts include:
A cost plus award fee contract for Launch Capabilities for the totaling more than $50 million. The contract was a negotiated procurement and includes the following tasks: Launch and Range Operations for Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL; Mission Integration; Mission Unique Development and Integration; Systems Engineering and Program Management; Subcontract Support; Factory Support Engineering; and Special Studies (FA8816-06-C-0002). Work is expected to be complete by September 2007.
A $7 million fixed price contract that supports Lockheed’s RL-10 engine producibility effort for the assured access to space program. The objective is to address new capabilities, tools and resources for effectiveness of the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) processes. There are 14 engineering projects for the year 2006 effort. Work will be complete February 2007 (F04701-98-9-0004).
In related developments, the planned United Launch Alliance merger of Being and Lockheed’s rocket businesses remains incomplete, which SpaceX is making some interesting moves with its Falcon family of rockets that could make them a competitor for more demanding launches down the road.