Lockheed Martin has been selected by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to receive a Phase I Airborne Launch Assist Space Access (ALASA) program study contract valued at about $6.2 million.

The ALASA program is a research and development effort maturing technologies to maintain vital satellite capabilities during a crisis.

"Our approach uses a tactical aircraft to provide a high energy-state, reusable first stage, enabling launches from bases worldwide to support the U.S and its allies," said Derek Bye, Lockheed Martin ALASA program manager.

"With the connectivity requirements of current and future systems, doing this quickly and affordably is a vital need that must be addressed."

Phase I of the ALASA effort spans 18 months. During that time, a team led by Lockheed Martin Skunk Works will define a preliminary system design, culminating with a demonstration system definition review. The team includes Alliant Techsystems Operations, LLC, and Defense Propulsion System, LLC.