Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB) has been awarded a $266 million contract with the U.S. Space Force, the company's largest launch contract to date, according to a press release statement.

The contract, awarded by the U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command's Rocket Systems Launch Program, covers 12 suborbital launches with options for up to six additional launches. The first launch is expected no earlier than the end of 2026.

The launches will primarily take place from a new Rocket Lab facility at the Pacific Spaceport Complex-Alaska in Kodiak, Alaska. The company also operates launch sites at Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand and Launch Complex 2 and Launch Complex 3 in Virginia.

Rocket Lab founder and CEO Sir Peter Beck said: "Cadence, iteration, and relentless execution are essential to maturing America's missile defense capabilities, and that's exactly what we bring with launch leadership."