United Launch Alliance Gets Preliminary OK From Pentagon

Boeing-Lockheed Venture Advances, Wall Street Journal (subscription)

“The Pentagon has given preliminary approval to a joint venture between Boeing Co. and Lockheed Martin Corp. for military-rocket launches, endorsing a rare monopoly that could set a precedent for defense contractors facing slower military spending, said industry and government officials. After seven months of deliberations and some false starts, the companies have convinced the Pentagon of the venture’s projected cost savings, these officials said.”