US Space Force Awards SpaceX $1.6 B Contract for 18 Falcon 9 Military Launches

The U.S. Space Force has granted SpaceX a $1.6 billion contract to conduct 18 Falcon 9 launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base through the end of 2027. The missions, issued under two task orders of the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 program, will place Pentagon‑owned satellites into orbit for space‑based sensing, targeting and the new Space‑Based Airborne Moving Target Indicator (SB‑AMTI) system, enhancing detection and tracking of airborne threats.

The award was completed in an accelerated two‑month schedule to meet urgent warfighter needs and reflects SpaceX’s dominant role in U.S. military launch procurement. Competing firms such as United Launch Alliance and Blue Origin also bid for individual launches, but SpaceX’s reusable Falcon 9 was selected for its cost‑effectiveness and rapid delivery capability.