The QuickReach is a two-stage liquid fuel rocket that is carried to its launch point in the cargo bay of an aircraft such as an Air Force C-17 or a privately chartered Antonov 124. This simplifies operations compared to a ground launch from a fixed range in several ways: no coordination is required with other users of the range, weather constraints are avoided by flying to open sky, and there are fewer delays waiting for specific launch windows (to match desired orbits) because the vehicle can be flown to an alternate launch point that is better aligned with the desired orbit. In addition, ground launches must be postponed whenever ships enter the ocean zones near the coastal launch sites or where rocket stages are expected to drop; the QuickReach carrier aircraft can avoid such delays by flying to a different release point.

Air launching also simplifies the design of the vehicle, which simultaneously reduces costs and improves reliability. The modest performance gain of launching at 25,000 to 35,000 feet, and with some forward speed, makes it easier for a two-stage rocket to put payloads into orbit. In addition, the first stage engine and nozzle can be designed solely for operation at a significant altitude - this avoids the design challenges of also needing to operate efficiently at sea level air pressure during lift-off.

Because QuickReach does not use turbopumps or mechanical gas pressurization systems, it can be scaled up with few changes in its basic components. This means that later versions of QuickReach can deliver 10,000-lb. payloads simply through modest increases in the diameter of the vehicle and its engines.

Lockheed Martin FALCON SLV