US Air Force sees increased future emphasis on small launch

The US Air Force (USAF) will likely place more emphasis on small launch as capabilities develop due to their responsiveness, or ability to quickly replenish assets, according to a key official.

Will Roper, USAF assistant secretary for acquisition, technology, and logistics, told reporters on 6 February that the service seeks better responsiveness in launch because it adds an element of surprise. He said that responsiveness in launch allows the USAF to launch a space asset later, as opposed to earlier, reducing time for an adversary to develop a plan to take out the asset.

The USAF will likely place more emphasis on small launch companies such as Vector Space Systems due to their responsiveness, or their ability to launch satellites on short notice. (Vector)

Companies from Vector Space Systems to Virgin Orbit and Rocket Lab are working on innovative small-launch capabilities. Virgin Orbit seeks to launch horizontally while airborne while Vector aims to be able to launch without traditional launch infrastructure. Rocket Lab is pioneering a tailored, responsive service.

“When we’re talking about putting a satellite up from a large airliner, that looks like something that you could imagine having on runway alert and being able to put up the day you need it,” Roper said. “I like the idea of us working with small launch industry as more of a responsive launch.”

The USAF is changing how it acquires space capabilities, and Roper said it is too early to decide which part of the service will “own small launch forever”. The Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center (AFSMC) in Los Angeles currently manages small-launch acquisition, but Roper said small-launch management may not belong to one organisation in the future.