Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin New Glenn rocket has been backed by the US Air Force with a $500 million contract. (Photos: VCG)

The US Air Force announced Wednesday the award of three Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) Launch Service Agreements to Blue Origin, Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, and United Launch Alliance.

The award to Blue Origin will be for development of the New Glenn Launch System.

At 313 ft (95 m) tall, New Glenn is second only in stature to the Apollo Saturn V rocket.