Well, duh…

Of course we have to buy as many RD-180s as we can before the line is shut off to us while developing our own designs and production ASAP.

Is this the kind of obvious “insight” that Marquez was paid to deliver while he staffed the National Security Council?

Besides rubber-stamping repeated waivers on Atlas V engine production, what actions did Marquez take to reduce reliance on foreign rocket engines during his three-plus-year tenure as Director of Space Policy?

Oh right, nada.

What a joke…

In the dark of night around a guttering candle flame in a ruined abbey with their demonic familiars by their sides I suppose. You know – the usual.

Shouldn’t they have at least been trying to make a replacement in the past few years?

Nah, that’s just What Jesus Would Do.

Feed them on that billion a year they get for “maintaining capability” maybe? Damned good question in any case. I don’t see any scenario in which ULA gets a new engine soon enough to save either Atlas V or their whole company.

The Air Force has admitted the lack of engines will result in years of delays for a large number of high priority payloads.

Or the Falcon Heavy will get certified perhaps as soon as the end of next year and start clearing that backlog.