DULLES, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Orbital ATK, Inc. (NYSE: OA), a global leader in aerospace and defense technologies, announced today that it has received a contract award from the U.S. Air Force for production of the AIM-9P Sidewinder rocket motor. Orbital ATK will complete a First Article Acceptance Test on the rocket motor for the Sidewinder Missile System and produce motor-lots for the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.
Originally definitized in 2014, this contract is a significant milestone for allied countries carrying the 9P Sidewinder in their inventory, creating an opportunity to affordably extend the life of their Sidewinder missiles. Today's announcement confirms contract modification for Contract Line Number 1, finalized in June 2015.
“Given the effectiveness and popularity of the Sidewinder Missile System, we believe there is strong demand among our allies to extend the life of their existing missiles with new motors and components," said Pat Nolan, Vice President and General Manager of Orbital ATK's Missile Products division of the Defense Systems Group. “This contract creates a window of opportunity for our customers to effectively manage the life-cycle cost of their arsenal.”
Orbital ATK’s SR116-HP-1 rocket motor powers the AIM-9P version of the Sidewinder missile; a supersonic, heat-seeking, air-to-air missile. In addition to the FMS customers, Orbital ATK has already signed a Direct Commercial Sales contract to provide AIM-9P motors and other components valued at more than $10 million to an international ally.
Originally developed in 1978, the AIM-9P Sidewinder has received several upgrades including development of Orbital ATK’s SR116-HP-1 reduced-smoke rocket motor. The SR116-HP-1 rocket motor will be produced at Orbital ATK’s Rocket Center, West Virginia, facility, where more than 30,000 Sidewinder motors have been produced to date.
Orbital ATK’s Defense Systems Group is an industry leader in providing innovative and affordable precision and strike weapons, advanced propulsion and hypersonics, missile components across air-, sea- and land-based systems, ammunition and related energetic products.
About Orbital ATK
Orbital ATK is a global leader in aerospace and defense technologies. The company designs, builds and delivers space, defense and aviation systems for customers around the world, both as a prime contractor and merchant supplier. Its main products include launch vehicles and related propulsion systems; missile products, subsystems and defense electronics; precision weapons, armament systems and ammunition; satellites and associated space components and services; and advanced aerospace structures. Headquartered in Dulles, Virginia, Orbital ATK employs approximately 12,000 people in 18 states across the United States and in several international locations. For more information, visit www.orbitalatk.com.
