White House requests $1.2 billion for new rocket in Air Force budget

[Flyaway]

Sounds like the USAF are determined to drive more competition into the market for their launch contracts.

The U.S. Air Force plans to invest more than $1.2 billion over the next five years to develop a new launch system that would aim to end the Defense Department’s reliance on a Russian rocket engine, according to budget documents set to be released Feb. 9.

The President’s budget request for the next fiscal year also includes about $2.1 billion in 2021 to develop follow-on systems to two of the Air Force’s crown jewels in space: the highly protected communication satellites known as the Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellites and the missile-warning satellites in the Space Based Infrared System constellation.

http://spacenews.com/white-house-requests-1-2-billion-for-new-rocket-in-air-force-budget/

 

[Moose]

Sounds like ULA has a gift coming.

 

[Flyaway]

Sounds like ULA has a gift coming.

From the article this appears to be aimed at other companies not the usual suspects.