Rocket Cargo
Abstract
The Vanguard, Rocket Cargo, is an S&T effort to leverage the multi-billion dollars of commercial investments in large reusable launch vehicles to extend the commercial rocket capabilities and create a novel DOD solution for global reach. DAF S&T efforts and resources are focused on the specific areas that are unique to military transport applications. The S&T objective is to determine the viability, performance, military utility, and business case of the commercial rocket capability. Potential investigation activities will include detailed mission and cost analyses, investigation of the harsh rocket plume interactions with landing surfaces, evaluation of rocket landing capabilities at austere sites, and human factors at landing sites. Investments will also determine the ability to airdrop cargo after reentry, will assess in-flight communications to the rocket, will test cargo environments and novel cargo "loadmaster” designs for rapid load/unload, and will evaluate rocket detectability and vulnerability.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2025
- Source ID
- e51fc0e1fa64e8c4883bf959fb780b32