≈$9.5B Defense-wide DEFINITIVE CONTRACT FA881113C0003

U.S. Air Force: ~$9.5B for military satellite launch "EELV" — a contract with United Launch Services (ULA) (USAspending)

Defense Contract Management Agency ・2013-06-26 〜 2022-12-02

The U.S. Air Force awarded a contract for "EELV" (FY13 + Phase I Buy), the program that carries national-security satellites to space, to United Launch Services (ULA). The value is about $9.5 billion ($9,499,338,751) — a large award supporting national-security access to space.

Contract key facts

RecipientUNITED LAUNCH SERVICES, LLC
Contract value$9,499,338,751 (≈$9.5B)
BranchDefense-wide
Awarding agencyDepartment of Defense
Awarding sub-agencyDefense Contract Management Agency
Award typeDEFINITIVE CONTRACT
Period of performance2013-06-26 〜 2022-12-02
Contract ID (PIID)FA881113C0003

Contract scope (original)

IGF::CT::IGF EELV FY13 + PHASE I BUY

Key points

U.S. Air Force ordered the national-security satellite launch program "EELV"
Recipient United Launch Services (ULA), ~$9.5B ($9,499,338,751), June 2013–December 2022 (multi-year cumulative)
EELV provides "assured access to space" — reliably carrying military/intelligence satellites to orbit
ULA launches with Atlas V and Delta IV (later evolved into NSSL)
Large investment in a capability — "access to space" — not just equipment

This contract covers the national-security satellite launch program "EELV" (FY13 + Phase I Buy), performed by United Launch Services, LLC (the services arm of ULA, United Launch Alliance).

EELV (Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle) is a U.S. launch program to reliably carry military and intelligence satellites to space, aimed at securing "assured access to space." ULA has performed these launches with rockets such as Atlas V and Delta IV (the program later evolved into National Security Space Launch, NSSL). Space underpins modern military and civilian infrastructure — communications, positioning, reconnaissance — so securing launch capability is central to national security.

This contract shows that large defense spending goes not only to equipment like ships and aircraft but also to a capability: "access to space."

Why it matters

A case where large defense spending goes to a capability, "access to space." Useful for readers tracking space, launch, and satellites, or the national-security space domain. It shows the breadth of defense investment beyond equipment procurement.

FAQ

What data is this?

A single Department of Defense (DoD) federal procurement contract recorded in "USAspending," the U.S. open government-spending dataset. The recipient, awarding component, value, and scope are public. This site is not an official U.S. government website.

Is the amount final?

It is a cumulative figure as of collection. Large defense contracts accumulate modifications over many years, so amounts change. The latest figure is available at the source, USAspending.

What is EELV?

The Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program — a U.S. program to reliably carry military and intelligence satellites to space. It later evolved into National Security Space Launch (NSSL).

Sources (primary)

This article is an independent organization based on the U.S. official spending data below. Verify the exact, latest details with the official source.

USAspending (award details)
Contract ID (PIID)：FA881113C0003

#Defense#Department of Defense#Air Force#Space#Launch#ULA

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