Blue Origin and Anduril Win U.S. Air Force Rocket Cargo Study Contracts

WASHINGTON, August 24, 2025 – Blue Origin and defense‐technology startup Anduril Industries have each secured modest study contracts from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) under its Rocket Experimentation for Global Agile Logistics (REGAL) initiative.

Under the REGAL program, which seeks to validate commercial, reusable rockets and advanced cargo delivery systems capable of delivering materiel anywhere in the world in under an hour, Blue Origin was awarded a $1.37 million contract to analyze point-to-point material transportation using New Glenn rocket technology at its Merritt Island, Florida, development site. Anduril received a $1 million contract to conduct a design study titled “Payload Reentry from Space Development and Demonstrations,” evaluating reentry container concepts for rapid cargo return from orbit.

AFRL officials noted that, while the contract values are relatively small, they mark an important step toward “delivery as a service” logistics, contracting for capability via commercial providers rather than purchasing hardware outright. Both awards underscore the Pentagon’s growing interest in leveraging entrepreneurial space companies to revolutionize military logistics and expeditionary operations.

The REGAL initiative is part of a broader Air Force push to transform global supply chains, reduce reliance on traditional lift platforms, and ensure rapid responsiveness to military contingencies. Detailed timelines and demonstration goals for both study contracts have not yet been released.