Lockheed Martin is contributing to a recently announced partnership between Seagate Space and Firefly Aerospace to develop sea-based launch. The three companies will collaborate on an offshore launch platform for Firefly’s Alpha rocket, which Firefly and Seagate announced an MoU for in April.
Johnathon Caldwell, vice president and general manager of Strategic and Missile Defense Systems for Lockheed Martin Space, said in a statement it builds on Lockheed’s “legacy in missile defense, targets and counter‑measures.”
The companies plan to collaborate on mission‑application concepts and flight‑demonstration projects using Seagate’s Gateway offshore launch platform and the Firefly Aerospace Alpha launch vehicle.
“The collaboration further aims to accelerate the development of responsive launch solutions, delivering cutting‑edge technology that supports the warfighter’s evolving operational requirements,” Caldwell said in a LinkedIn post. “Having a capability to address the growing need for speed and flexibility to launch payloads on tactical timelines from diverse locations is key to national security.”
Seagate notes the Gateway platform will be applicable for rapid-deployment launch for hypersonic testing, missile defense, commercial launches, including the ability to access additional orbits and inclinations than traditional launch pads.
