“Launch Anywhere . . . Strike Anywhere” ™

1. Presents the QuickReach™ for space lift and global strike “Launch Anywhere . . . Strike Anywhere”™ The views, opinions, and/or findings contained in this article are those of the author and should not be interpreted as representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency or the Department of Defense." Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited 2nd Responsive Space Conference and Workshop ···· April 19-22, 2004 ···· El Segundo, California

2. QuickReach Will Deliver Responsive, Affordable Launch QuickReach is a two-stage, pressurized liquid fuel missile that is released from the cargo bay of a C-17 or similar aircraft. Its shipping crate becomes the launch tube, which also incorporates all launch controls so that no modifications are needed in the carrier aircraft.

3. Liquid Fuel Option Was Lowest Risk We considered solid, hybrid and liquid propulsion options. • Solids ruled out due to very high cost of acquisition, limited number of vendors (captive customer problem) and increased cost of handling and storage. Low performance led to 50% increase in number of stages needed to attain orbit or reach targets downrange. • Hybrids ruled out due to lack of flight maturity, relatively low performance, higher propellant costs than liquids and technical risk. • Our team has significant hybrid experience, and has conducted over 500 hybrid tests. • Liquid propulsion provided opportunity to meet cost goals through higher performance and reduced stage count. Also eliminated solid motor environmental impacts and allowed conventional industrial manufacturing, handling and storage facilities to be used.

4. Air-launched ELV Option Is Superior for FALCON We considered ground, air and sea-launched options • Sea launch ruled out due to high infrastructure costs to meet surge requirements (ships or platforms), ocean environmental impacts and weather limitations. • Ground launch ruled out due to high range costs, range’s impact on responsiveness, and lack of stealth when carrying out surge launches from CONUS. • Air-launch option meets responsiveness goals, eliminates many environmental impacts, eliminates third-party liability risk, provides covertness and all-azimuth capability, and meets surge requirements without major infrastructure expenditures. We considered reusable and expendable options • The technical risk of an RLV is too great for a near term effort such as FALCON. • Phase II funding is not likely to be sufficient for an operational RLV development effort. • An RLV would still likely require some expendable post-boost stage for velocity control of a separated CAV to provide flight path angle control and separation between the RLV and the CAV. This is “by definition” expended and has significant unit costs.

5. Our Concept of Operations (CONOPS) Will Reflect Accepted Military and Commercial Practices In operation, missile and canister are handled as an empty, lightweight conventional payload for cargo aircraft. • Cargo aircraft is not modified. • On alert, launch tube manages propellant thermal environment. • In transit, launch tube canister is shipping container. • Launch is covert, occurring over the horizon at sea. • System is mobile and survivable. System uses existing military infrastructure. • Air bases, current Air Mobility Command maintenance and logistics systems, plus flight crews and training are all applicable without significant modification or impacts on current operations. System uses existing commercial infrastructure. • Transport via highways or rail, and standard flat bed tractor trailers may be used. • Commercial tankers used.

6. QuickReach Launch Scenario Launch T=0 sec Alt = 25,000 ft Velr = 330 fps Range = 0 NM Staging T = 110 sec Alt = 161,000 ft Velr = 7,765 fps Orbit Insertion T=366 sec Alt = 608,000 ft Veli = 25,580 fps Range = 620 NM Ground Hold Takeoff within 120 minutes of call-up Optional In-flight Refueling 1st Stage Impact T = 390 sec Range = 350 NM

7. Advantages of AirLaunch Approach Lower Costs & Higher Performance for SLV-OS • Minimal range costs, which can be $500K to $4 million per flight • No range restrictions on launch azimuth caused by nearby population centers • Minimal infrastructure cost for surge launches; use temporarily assigned cargo aircraft • Covertness achieved by flying over the horizon before release • Increased performance from lower drag and altitude start yields 10-25% lower cost per lb Simplicity of Design • No pumps (consequence of altitude start with low Pc engines) • No secondary gas pressurization system; fuel is self-pressurizing • Single engines for each stage, no manifolding or plumbing issues • Simplicity leads to higher reliability and lower operational costs;components and systems that don’t exist can’t fail Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited

8. AirLaunch LLC Was Founded Specifically To Address the FALCON Program • is a consortium of expert contractors. • Each selected to deliver specific skills needed to meet the FALCON goals. • AirLaunch principals have extensive experience in system engineering, conceptual design, propulsion and program management. • Gary C Hudson, 54 (CEO, Program Manager). Thirty-four years in space business, CEO/President of six companies, AW&ST Laurel for DC-X (1994), raised $35+ million for space ventures. Managed 150 staff and contractors at most recent venture. • Bevin McKinney, 54 (Chief Designer, FALCON Chief Engineer). Twenty-three years experience. Founder of AMROC and responsible for 500+ engine firings, SET-1 vehicle development at WTR, and first privately-developed commercial launch vehicle (Dolphin 1983). Bevin McKinney Gary Hudson

9. Team Airlaunch Delivers “Big Prime” Capabilities Through a Consortium of Leading Specialists AirLaunch LLC Program Management Concept Design Systems Engineering Propulsion System Overall Design & Integration Commercial & Gov’t Sales FALCON INTEGRATION & LAUNCH OPERATIONS PROPULSION SYSTEM Space Vector Corporation, Chatsworth CA Subsidiary of Pemco Aviation Group, Birmingham AL Missile Integration Ground & Airborne Support Equipment Telemetry & Flight Termination Payload/CAV Systems Launch Operations Wilson Composite Technologies, Folsom CA Tank Design & Development (Stage 1/2) Schafer Corporation Los Angeles CA & Chelmsford Massachusetts Phase I Engine Concepts Universal Space Lines LLC Denver & Newport Beach CA Guidance, Navigation & Control Flight Computer & INS Mission Planning (IDOS) Operations Support Orion Propulsion, Huntsville Alabama Engine Test (Phase I) Coleman Aerospace Boca Raton Florida Airborne Launch Control Equipment Launch Console Operations Support

10. Summary of AirLaunch Approach Air Launch Delivers Low Costs, High Performance • Minimal or no range costs or range restrictions on launch azimuth • Uses existing aircraft without modifications • Covert salvo launches by flying over the horizon before release • More than the FALCON payload goal for less than the price target • Modest development cost to scale up to 4,000 – 10,000 lbs to LEO • Technology applicable to future heavy lift ground launched vehicles Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited

11. AirLaunch Contact Information Program Manager: Gary Hudson, 415-307-7335, gary.hudson@AirLaunchLLC.com Chief Engineer: Bevin McKinney, 253-851-0218, bevin.mckinney@AirLaunchLLC.com Chief Marketer: David Gump, 703-623-9616, david.gump@AirLaunchLLC.com