War Department offers Rocket Lab a conditional $150 million Neutron loan

On Nov. 9, 2026 the Department of War's Office of Strategic Capital announced a $150 million conditional loan commitment to Rocket Lab USA, Inc. to raise Neutron's flight rate after the first launch. The proposed loan would fund faster processing, more maritime recovery equipment, composite and engine production, and shorter turnaround. Rocket Lab must still meet financial, legal, technical, and due-diligence conditions before the loan closes. SpaceNews reported the same commitment. This is separate from the same day's earnings release.