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Biden Memo Offers More Flexibility for Launch Vehicles, UAS Under Tech Control Regime

By Cal Biesecker

Wednesday, January 8th, 2025

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Biden Memo Offers More Flexibility for Launch Vehicles, UAS Under Tech Control Regime

Firefly Aerospace's Alpha rocket lifting off in December 2023 with a Lockheed Martin payload. Photo: Firefly Aerospace

The White House this week announced a new classified National Security Memorandum (NSM) that provides increased flexibility for certain space launch vehicles and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) as part of a control regime designed to limit the export of delivery vehicles that can carry weapons of mass destruction. The new NSM updates guidance for the government’s implementation of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) to meet the goals of maintaining a strong non-proliferation posture while boosting the U.S. defense industrial…

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