Lt. Gen. John Thompson, the U.S. Air Force’s Space And Missile Systems Center commander, said the military branch is releasing a final launch services solicitation within the next two weeks, Space News reported Wednesday.
Thompson noted in a testimony to the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces that competition for the National Security Space Launch program must push through according to schedule despite industry concerns. The service received recommendations to extend deadlines for space firms to further develop their platforms.
Air Force officials intended to issue a final request for proposals for the LSP effort in March 29. The service delayed the RFP release to April ahead of an expected award date in spring 2020, according to Thompson. Launches scheduled for 2022 will potentially get funding from the Air Force’s budgets for fiscal years 2020 through 2024.