Vulcan exists and will get a test launch: ULA delivers Vulcan test article to Cape Canaveral for ‘pathfinder’ operations – Spaceflight Now
Not so quick there kemosabi. From the article: "for a test campaign expected to last several months." "Two methane-fueled BE-4 development engines are attached to the rear end of the rocket, but they won’t be fired as part of the checkout campaign at Cape Canaveral." "ULA teams in Alabama are finishing work on the Vulcan booster and Centaur upper stage for the first launch later this year. The pathfinder operations beginning this weekend in Florida won’t include the Vulcan’s strap-on solid rocket motors or Centaur upper stage." "The rocket stage that arrived at Cape Canaveral this week will return to Alabama at the end of the pathfinder tests to be fitted with pair of flight-ready BE-4 engines, then return to Florida for a future launch, according to ULA." So this whole many months long exercise including transport there and back from Alabama, is just to test fit and finish (I wonder if they'll find panel gaps ). I guess this is just how ULA rolls ... really sloooowly.
A small contract for SpaceX: SpaceX wins Air Force manufacturing research contract for hypersonic vehicle thermal shields - SpaceNews