Alabama-based defense contractor Outpost Technologies Corporation has signed a $33.2-million agreement to produce and evaluate equipment for the US Air Force’s Joint Precision Orbital Cargo (J-POC) space vehicle.
The package will incorporate a heat shield, payload bus, and paragliding systems that will support the spacecraft’s hypersonic testing and reentry missions.
Work for the contract will be facilitated for four years in partnership with the air force’s innovation arm AFWERX.
“This AFWERX [Strategic Funding Increase] program will directly contribute to protecting the lives of our military personnel, by delivering supplies and payloads through space,” Outpost CEO and Founder Jason Dunn stated.
“We eliminate the need for aviators to fly through dangerous airspace with this technology. Outpost’s innovative approach ensures that our members on the ground remain connected to the critical logistics and supply lines they rely on, all while minimizing risk to our forces.”
Future J-POC Flight in 2026
Outpost is now working on the future J-POC platforms, including the “Ferryall” return vehicle and the “Carryall” vehicle, which will be able to transport up to 10 tons of payload.
The systems’ maiden launch is scheduled for 2026, the company wrote.
“Outpost has worked to develop a scalable heat shield and autonomous atmospheric paraglider that enables Earth return of multi-ton cargo from space,” Dunn added.
“This is a game changer in our ability to support the government in hypersonic testing and reentry missions by providing a regular cadence of Earth return to collect valuable hypersonic data necessary to enable future DoD capabilities.”
“Additionally, this program will enable myriad private manufacturing of materials in space, such as fiber optic cable, which will tremendously benefit our lives on Earth.”
Outpost’s latest deal followed the firm’s $1.25-million logistics award signed in August for the utility of Ferryall and Carryall vehicles between an in-orbit US Air Force warehouse and multiple Earth-based locations.
