The Air Force let a $900 million indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for space launch services under the Rocket Systems Launch Program, announced the Pentagon. Under this contract, Lockheed Martin, Orbital Sciences, and Space Exploration Technologies will provide launch vehicles through November 2017, states the contract description, which is included in the Defense Department’s Dec. 3 list of major contracts. RSLP utilizes commercial launch systems as well as deactivated Minuteman and Peacekeeper ICBM motors to place small spacecraft into a variety of orbits for DOD and other government agencies.
Three of four congressional committees with influence over defense policy have voted to change the official name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War—but final approval of the Pentagon rebrand is months away and not yet assured.