This is an interesting article but this idea has been around for years and has been abandoned before, the situation has not changed. As soon as the Generals get briefed on the problems this iteration will be abandoned. Why? Think of how much trouble we have landing helicopters or the Osprey on unprepared fields - we can do it but with great caution. The downwash is significant, blowing our people around and showering them with dirt.

Now make that 1000 times worse - a rocket lands on a plume of high speed, very hot, exhaust. Much higher speed and much hotter than an Osprey. Then the rocket has residual fuel that must be handled very carefully so that it does not explode. During landing the rocket might erode the ground below it - they must be landed on specially prepared pads. Those are NOT found on any front lines.

The fact that we are spending money on this shows us that the Generals who approved it are not aware of the limitations.

And the Novel Vanguard Program Prime Directive ? ....... Remote Command and Virtualised AI Control of paramilitary personnel delivering cargo to providers launching spaces for commercialisation with capabilities leveraging and exploiting explorations which will work well together in Future Developments and SkunkWorks in Progress?

Does the Air Force Research Laboratory, Space Force, Space and Missile Systems Center and Air Force Materiel Command have that sort of comprehensive utility with agile facilities home grown and based in the United States or is it bought and brought in from elsewhere foreign abroad ie Imported from a Vital Strategic Outsourcer/Much Prized and Highly Regarded Special Relationship Partner?

Such is certainly what is relatively freely available for lavish testing from elsewhere with many also realising the possibility of it be as much an overwhelming opponent and/or almighty competitor as a friendly partner.

Charles Phillips said,
"Think of how much trouble we have landing helicopters or the Osprey on unprepared fields - we can do it but with great caution. The downwash is significant, blowing our people around and showering them with dirt.

Now make that 1000 times worse - a rocket lands on a plume of high speed, very hot, exhaust. "

That case may not hold for a vehicle based on SpaceX's Starship. While the "standard" version does land on a plume from its tail, the version for lunar landings (and likely other missions) uses a belt of downward pointing circumferential thrusters almost 200 feet off the ground. It does this to reduce blasting regolith and rocks around the landing site at high speed. Its legs are also designed for landing on unprepared surfaces.