page_title: Delta IV
section_title: Vehicle description
hierarchical_section_title: Delta IV / Vehicle description
context_page_description: Delta IV is a group of five expendable launch systems in the Delta rocket family introduced in the early 2000s. Originally designed by Boeing's Defense, Space & Security division for the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program, the Delta IV became a United Launch Alliance product in 2006. The Delta IV is primarily a launch vehicle for United States Air Force military payloads, but has also been used to launch a number of U.S. government non-military payloads and a single commercial satellite.
  The Delta IV originally had two main versions which allowed the family to cover a range of payload sizes and masses: the retired Medium and Heavy. As of 2019, only the Heavy remains active, with payloads that would previously fly on Medium moving to either the existing Atlas V or the forthcoming Vulcan. Retirement of the Delta IV is anticipated in 2024.
  Delta IV vehicles are built in the ULA facility in Decatur, Alabama. Final assembly is completed at the launch site by ULA: at the Horizontal Integration Facility for launches from SLC-37B pad at Cape Canaveral and in a similar facility for launches from SLC-6 pad at Vandenberg Air Force Base.
caption: Delta IV evolution
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