Rocket Lab Onramped To Multi-Billion Dollar U.S. and U.K. Defense Contracts To Expand Hypersonic Technology Development with HASTE

Rhea-AI Summary

Rocket Lab (RKLB) has secured positions in two major defense contracts for hypersonic technology development. The company has been selected for the U.S. Air Force's $46 billion Enterprise-Wide Agile Acquisition Contract (EWAAC) running through 2031, and the UK Ministry of Defence's $1.3 billion Hypersonic Technologies & Capability Development Framework (HTCDF).

The company will leverage its Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test Electron (HASTE) launch vehicle, a modified version of their Electron rocket, to bid for contracts under both programs. HASTE features carbon fiber composite structures and 3D printed engines, with a payload capacity of up to 700 kg. The vehicle can deploy technologies at speeds exceeding 7.5km per second for testing various hypersonic applications.

HASTE has already completed three successful launches for the U.S. Department of Defense from Rocket Lab's Launch Complex 2 in Virginia, including two launches within 21 days.

Positive

• Selected for two major government defense contracts worth combined $47.3 billion
• Demonstrated operational capability with three successful DOD launches
• Proven rapid launch capability with two missions in 21 days
• Access to long-term government contracts through 2031

Negative

• Contract values represent total program size, not guaranteed revenue for RKLB
• Must still bid for specific tasks/contracts within both frameworks

Insights

Defense Technology Analyst

Rocket Lab's selection for two major hypersonic technology development frameworks represents a significant strategic positioning in the defense sector. The company has secured spots in the $46 billion US Air Force EWAAC program and the $1.3 billion UK Ministry of Defence HTCDF - both designed for rapid technology acquisition in critical defense capabilities.

What makes this particularly valuable is that Rocket Lab brings an already-proven solution with its HASTE vehicle - essentially a modified version of their successful Electron rocket optimized for hypersonic testing. They've demonstrated capability with three successful DoD launches, including two within just 21 days, showcasing operational readiness that few competitors can match.

The extended timeframe of these frameworks - with the US contract running through 2031 - provides long-term revenue opportunity visibility. While these are IDIQ/framework agreements (meaning Rocket Lab must still bid for specific task orders rather than receiving guaranteed revenue), simply gaining access to these exclusive contract vehicles is a significant hurdle many companies never clear.

The strategic value extends beyond immediate financial implications. Hypersonic technology development remains a top defense priority, and Rocket Lab's position as a dual-source provider to both US and UK defense establishments strengthens their competitive moat while diversifying their government customer base beyond traditional space launch services.

LONG BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today announced it has been selected to provide hypersonic test launch capability with its HASTE launch vehicle, engineering expertise, and other services through its participation in two multi-billion dollar government development programs for the United States and the United Kingdom.

Rocket Lab has been selected by the U.S. Air Force to participate within its Enterprise-Wide Agile Acquisition Contract (EWAAC), a $46 billion indefinite delivery-indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract designed for the rapid acquisition of innovative technologies, engineering services, and technical solutions that develop the Air Force’s new capabilities. The program has a contracting period through to 2031 and is designed to be broad in scope, flexible in funding, and agile for maximum use to enable the Air Force to quickly procure services and technologies across various domains.

Further, Rocket Lab has also been selected by the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence (UK MOD) for its Hypersonic Technologies & Capability Development Framework (HTCDF), a ~$1.3 billion (£1 billion) framework to rapidly develop advanced hypersonic capabilities for the United Kingdom. As a newly-selected supplier to the HTCDF, Rocket Lab is now eligible to bid to provide services, technologies, and testing capabilities that support the UK’s development of sovereign hypersonic technology.

Across both programs, Rocket Lab intends to bid for contracts and task orders served by its Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test Electron (HASTE) launch vehicle, as well as other engineering, design, and launch services. A suborbital variant of Electron - the world’s most frequently launched small orbital rocket - HASTE includes much of the same innovative technology as Electron, including carbon fiber composite structures and 3D printed rocket engines, but has a modified upper Kick Stage tailored for hypersonic technology tests and a larger payload capacity of up to 700 kg / 1,540 lbs. HASTE can deploy technologies at speeds of more than 7.5km per second to test air-breathing, glide, and ballistic payloads, as well as technologies to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere from space. Successful missions to date include three launches for the U.S. Department of Defense – including twice within just 21 days – from Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 2 launch site located on Wallops Island, Virginia. Combined, Rocket Lab’s HASTE and Electron launch vehicles have deployed 200+ payloads from its United States and New Zealand launch sites to date.

Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck, says: “The ability to contribute toward the collective security of the United States and the United Kingdom across both of these important programs is a proud moment for the HASTE team, and a demonstration of Rocket Lab’s commitment to lead from the front when it comes to innovative and unique solutions for hypersonic technology development. Keeping pace with global developments means more affordable tests at a higher rate that expands the boundaries of hypersonic technology - and that’s a capability we’re already providing all in one platform with HASTE, at a commercial price and cadence that serves the mission of both nations.”

About Rocket Lab

Founded in 2006, Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company with an established track record of mission success. We deliver reliable launch services, satellite manufacture, spacecraft components, and on-orbit management solutions that make it faster, easier, and more affordable to access space. Headquartered in Long Beach, California, Rocket Lab designs and manufactures the Electron small orbital launch vehicle, a family of flight-proven spacecraft, and the Company is developing the large Neutron launch vehicle for constellation deployment. Since its first orbital launch in January 2018, Rocket Lab’s Electron launch vehicle has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 200 satellites to orbit for private and public sector organizations, enabling operations in national security, scientific research, space debris mitigation, Earth observation, climate monitoring, and communications. Rocket Lab’s spacecraft have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars, as well as the first private commercial mission to Venus. Rocket Lab has three launch pads at two launch sites, including two launch pads at a private orbital launch site located in New Zealand and a third launch pad in Virginia.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding our launch and space systems operations, launch schedule and window, safe and repeatable access to space, Neutron development, operational expansion and business strategy are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “potential,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “strategy,” “future,” “could,” “would,” “project,” “plan,” “target,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, though not all forward-looking statements use these words or expressions. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the factors, risks and uncertainties included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and the Investor Relations section of our website at www.rocketlabusa.com, which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Any such forward-looking statements represent management’s estimates as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250414259200/en/

Rocket Lab Media Contact

Murielle Baker

media@rocketlabusa.com

Source: Rocket Lab USA, Inc.

FAQ

What are the values of the defense contracts RKLB has been selected for?

RKLB has been selected for the U.S. Air Force's $46 billion EWAAC contract and the UK MOD's $1.3 billion HTCDF program.

What is the payload capacity of RKLB's HASTE launch vehicle?

HASTE can carry payloads of up to 700 kg (1,540 lbs) and deploy technologies at speeds over 7.5km per second.

How many successful HASTE launches has RKLB completed for the U.S. Department of Defense?

RKLB has completed three successful HASTE launches for the U.S. Department of Defense, with two launches occurring within 21 days.

How long does the U.S. Air Force EWAAC contract run for RKLB?

The EWAAC contract has a contracting period through to 2031.