The United Launch Alliance (ULA) defended its exclusive contract with the U.S Air Force and explained why SpaceX CEO Elon Musk should not file a lawsuit for preventing competition, Wednesday.
Last week, SpaceX filed a lawsuit against the U.S Air Force to dispute their contract with ULA, which allegedly blocks other companies from competing to lead over 36 rocket launches.
The contract, according to Elon Musk, "essentially blocks companies like SpaceX from competing for national security launches."
In defense of the government, the joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Boeing explained in a press release that they deserve the contract, because it's the only "government certified launch provider that meets all of the unique EELV (evolved expendable launch vehicle) requirements that are critical to supporting our troops and keeping our country safe."
Furthermore, ULA argued that canceling the contract will seriously affect hundreds of suppliers and cost the government billions of dollars in losses. It would also cause a delay on critical missions and operations involving satellite programs.
According to the SpaceFlight Now report, ULA has been working with the military since its founding in 2006. The Association has launched 81 successful missions, including spy satellites, military communications stations, weather and navigation satellites, long with some of NASA's spacecrafts.
The latest contract between ULA and the U.S Air Force is reportedly worth $11 billion and covers 36 rocket launches. The deal was finalized in December 2013, ahead of SpaceX's Falcon 9 Air Force certification for military launch.
SpaceX stated Falcon 9 is qualified and should be given a chance to bid for the project. To date, the space transport company has made three successful launches in a row. During its latest launch, a craft delivered tons of experimental hardware to the International Space Station.
