Orbital ATK Delivers 500th Missile

Orbital ATK Inc. delivered its 500th advanced anti-radiation guided missile to the U.S. Navy, the company announced Tuesday. Produced at the Northridge facility of the Dulles, Va.-based defense and aerospace firm, the guided missile is a supersonic, air-launched weapon that can rapidly engage traditional and advanced land- and sea-based air-defense threats. It is used on the Navy’s Hornet, Super Hornet and Growler aircraft and the Italian Air Force’s Tornado aircraft. Cary Ralston, vice president and general manager of Orbital’s Defense Electronic Systems division, said the company has steadily increased production and delivery of the missile system to the Navy. “Our dedicated workforce coupled with our close partnership with the U.S. Navy, Italian Air Force, our industry partners and suppliers has been paramount to our success,” Ralston said in a prepared statement. The company has been developing the guided missile since it received its first development contract in 2003. In September 2013, Orbital received its first full production contract for the weapons system valued at $71 million. In addition to the guided missile, Orbital also produces a missile warning system for aircraft and support equipment for weapons systems at the San Fernando Valley location.