A revolutionary step is underway in military logistics. The United States Air Force is investing in a transformative project called Rocket Cargo, aimed at transporting up to 100 tons of cargo or personnel to any point on Earth in under 90 minutes. What once sounded like a science fiction fantasy is fast becoming a cornerstone of modern defense strategy.
The project is part of a broader program known as REGAL (Rocket Experimentation for Global Agile Logistics). REGAL's mission goes beyond developing a single rocket; it aims to create a fully integrated and sustainable military logistics system. In essence, the objective is to turn rocket technology into a standard part of the air mobility fleet, enabling swift and flexible global operations.
At the heart of this initiative lies the use of reusable commercial rockets capable of reaching suborbital altitudes. These rockets are envisioned to perform like cargo planes—but much faster. The long-term goal is to match the carrying capacity of the C-17 Globemaster III, which can handle approximately 77 tons of cargo. Such a system would revolutionize rapid deployment strategies by drastically reducing global response times.
The first tangible step in this vision has already been taken. The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has signed a contract with Rocket Lab USA. Their Neutron rocket, designed for reusability and with a payload capacity of 13 tons, will be used in a test flight planned for 2026 or later. During the test, Neutron will reach a suborbital trajectory and re-enter the atmosphere under controlled conditions. Detailed telemetry data—including temperature, pressure, acceleration forces, heat flux, and structural stress—will be collected to inform the design of future rocket-based cargo and crew missions.
Beyond military applications, Rocket Cargo holds the potential to transform emergency response, disaster relief, and humanitarian aid delivery. With such capabilities, the U.S. could reshape not only defense logistics but also global mobility strategies for the 21st century.