In November 2003, Lockheed Martin-Michoud Operations was awarded a six-month study contract from DARPA as part of the USAF FALCON program to assess hybrid propulsion applications for a responsive small launch vehicle. This study concluded in May 2004. In September 2004, FALCON competitors began a 10-month design phase to be followed by a down-select to possibly two competitors, and a winning design to be selected in 2007. Lockheed Martin-Michoud's all-hybrid two-stage vehicle would deliver a payload up to 455 kilograms to LEO and, if selected, would establish hybrid propulsion as a viable space launch booster technology. The core booster stage would generate approximately 1.4 million newtons of thrust.