Boeing Co. and Lockheed Martin Corp. announced Sept. 21 they withdrew their filing with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regarding the formation of the United Launch Alliance. The companies said they plan to resubmit the filing, required under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Anti-Trust Improvements Act of 1976, later this week. The move will allow for additional time for review of the proposed transaction. Upon resubmission, the 30-day clock for FTC review will restart.

The United Launch Alliance, announced in May, is a joint venture that combines U.S. government launch services provided separately by Boeing Integrated Defense Systems’ Expendable Launch System division with Lockheed Martin’s Space Systems Co. The headquarters of the alliance will be located in Denver, and the major assembly and integration operations will be conducted at Boeing’s manufacturing and assembly facility in Decatur, Ala. Lockheed Martin and Boeing each will cover 50 percent of the costs and share 50 percent of the revenues generated, regardless of which company’s launch vehicle is used to fulfill a government contract.