To build a super heavy rocket for NASA, Lockheed proposed a wider, 5.4meter, with one or two engine stage. 5 stages could be clustered together to put 100 tons into LEO. (Atlas V phase 3a)
Senators ignored Lockheed and had NASA begin work on a super heavy, underfunded rocket named SLS, made of proprietary parts.
Successful commercial vehicles launch >7 times per year. The SLS will launch less than 1, unless Congress gives more money, which it has refused to.
Kill the SLS, have Lockheed, Orbital Sciences, or probably SpaceX build Lockheed's proposed rocket. Make it the only US govt backed rocket.
Also, use the European Ariane 5 ME, and Japanese H-2A/B for the US military. These rockets will be complementary. Build the launch pads in America and share ships, like the MN Toucan.