The Air Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center released a final request for proposal Monday for the development of rideshare payload adapters to be used with its Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program. The Long Duration Propulsive EELV Secondary Payload Adapters, or LDPE, will build on secondary payload adapter technology already developed by the Space Vehicles Directorate at the Air Force Research Laboratory and will enable Air Force space vehicles to host additional payloads on launch missions, as required by Air Force Space Command policy. The LDPE program will be “a competitively bid acquisition for an EELV-compatible payload adapter with power, attitude control, and propulsive capabilities,” according to an SMC press release.
The Air Force wants a new, affordable, air-launched standoff cruise missile ready to field in 2033. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center announced April 6 it will hold an industry day event to conduct market research on the Standoff Attack Weapon, or SoAW, on June 17 at Eglin Air…