The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has awarded a $1
million contract to Anduril Industries, Inc. for a design study focused on a
universal Payload Container for their Rocket Cargo Vanguard program (also referred
to as Point-to-Point Delivery (P2PD)). The program envisions swift,
point-to-point cargo delivery anywhere on Earth using advanced rocket
technology.
The core objective of this newly awarded contract is to
procure a design study for a "Payload Container" capable of
integrating with multiple launch platforms, AFRL said in contract documents
released Wednesday.
Unlike specialized single-purpose containers, this
innovative system is intended to be highly versatile, allowing for the seamless
integration of various government-defined payloads. This standardization is
crucial for optimizing efficiency, reducing preparation times, and enhancing
the overall flexibility of future space-based logistics operations.
By enabling a wide array of payloads – from humanitarian aid
and disaster relief supplies to critical equipment – to be rapidly deployed
across different rocket types, the program seeks to revolutionize global supply
chains and response capabilities.
The future vision involves a system that can deliver cargo
to remote or time-sensitive locations within hours.
The competitive contract was awarded as a firm fixed price
agreement, emerging from the Rocket Experimentation for Global Agile Logistics Payload
Reentry from Space Development and Demonstrations program.
Space launch companies like SpaceX and Rocket Lab USA, Inc.,
have already been awarded contracts to demonstrate the Rocket Cargo concept.
Demonstration Flights
In May, Rocket Lab announced that it will launch its new
medium-lift reusable rocket Neutron for the AFRL to perform a Rocket Cargo
mission to support point-to-point cargo transportation. The mission is scheduled
no earlier than 2026.
SpaceX’s Starship vehicle was awarded a similar contract in 2022
to investigate Point-to-Point Delivery.
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