Northrop Grumman’s Valley Operation Secures $167 Million Contract

Northrop Grumman Corp. has received a $167 million contract from the U.S. Navy to produce Lot 8 of its advanced anti-radiation guided missile system. Produced at the Northridge facility of the Falls Church, Va.-based defense and aerospace firm, the missiles are a supersonic, air-launched weapon that can engage traditional and advanced land- and sea-launched threats. It is used on the Navy’s Hornet, Super Hornet and Growler aircraft and the Italian Air Force’s Tornado aircraft. The contract includes options for increased quantities for the Department of the Navy, missiles for the Italian Air Force and missiles for foreign military sales. The missile system had previously been made by Orbital ATK Inc., which Northrop acquired last year. “The (Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile) is able to rapidly engage air-defense threats,” said Cary Ralston, vice president and general manager of defense electronic system at Northrop Grumman, in a statement. “We are proud to provide our warfighters with this advanced and affordable capability.”