Lockheed Martin, McDonnell Douglas, Boeing and Alliant TechSystems have been awarded initial $30 million contracts to design versions of the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) to replace the Delta, Titan and Atlas. The first of a single family of EELVs may fly in 2000. 31 Navstar GPS Block 2F satellites are manifested for EELV launches between 2000-10. Two companies will be selected in 1997 for final competition with the $1.8 billion prime contract being awarded in 1998. Payload range of the EELV family will be 1,130kg to 20,400kg to LEO. Alliant TechSystems has signed a MoU with Space Systems Loral for ten commercial launches. McDonnell Douglas is proposing the Delta 4 in three models: Delta 4 Small, Medium and Large with a common core first stage (and two strap-ons for the Delta 4 Large), with a Delta 2 upper stage and faring (Delta 4 Small), a Delta 3 cryogenic upper stage and Delta 2 fairing (Delta 4 Medium) and a modified Delta 3 cryogenic stage and Titan 4 fairing (Delta 4 Large)
Source: Flight International
