Lockheed extends $500M credit guarantee to ULA amid Vulcan grounding

Lockheed Martin disclosed in its Q2 2026 SEC filing, around July 23, that it has guaranteed up to $500 million of United Launch Alliance's borrowings as Vulcan Centaur's continued grounding strains the joint venture's finances. Vulcan has not flown since a February 12, 2026 solid rocket booster nozzle anomaly on the USSF-87 mission, and ULA leadership is now targeting a return to flight only by the end of 2026, with ULA flying just five missions so far in 2026 against an original 18-22 launch goal.