Block 1 Upgrade Capability Demonstrates Advanced Capabilities during
Live Fire Testing
DULLES, Va.Nov. 30, 2015--
Orbital ATK, Inc. (NYSE:OA), a global leader in aerospace and defense
technologies, and the U.S. Navy successfully launched and scored a
direct hit against an advanced enemy air defense radar system during a
live fire test of the AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile
(AARGM) Block 1 Software Upgrade at China Lake Naval Air Warfare Center
on Sept. 22, 2015.
The AARGM Block 1 Software Upgrade shot was launched from a U.S. Navy
F/A-18F Super Hornet in a complex scenario designed to test the
missile s capability against an advanced air defense radar threat. Prior
to launch, AARGM successfully detected, identified and located the
target using its anti-radiation homing receiver. This information was
relayed directly to the pilot who then launched the AARGM in Target of
Opportunity mode. The missile s millimeter wave radar located the target
and performed terminal guidance resulting in a direct hit on the target.
The AARGM Block 1 Software Upgrade testing successfully demonstrated
the missile s performance in a very challenging tactical scenario, said
Cary Ralston, vice president and general manager of Orbital ATK s
Defense Electronic Systems division of the Defense System s Group. This
was a key test in the steps to roll this upgrade out to our warfighters.
This is the second live fire test of the AARGM Block 1 Software
Upgrade, said Gordon Turner, vice president of programs, business
development and strategy for Defense Electronic Systems. Another key
attribute of the Block 1 upgrade capability, engagement of moving ships,
was successfully demonstrated a few weeks earlier further validating the
versatility and capability of the weapon.
Orbital ATK participated in the missile firing as a member of the U.S.
Navy's Integrated Product Team, led by the Direct and Time Sensitive
Strike Program Office, PMA-242.
Additional test team members included Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons
Division China Lake, Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Three One, and
Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Nine.
AARGM is a supersonic, air-launched tactical missile system, upgrading
legacy AGM-88 HARM systems with advanced capability to perform
Destruction of Enemy Air Defense and time sensitive strike missions.
AARGM provides the most advanced system for pilots with in-cockpit,
real-time electronic order of battle situational awareness against
today s modern surface-to-air threats. AARGM is able to rapidly engage
advanced land- and sea-based radar air-defense threats, as well as
non-radar, time-sensitive strike targets.
AARGM is a U.S. Navy and Italian Air Force international cooperative
major acquisition program with the U.S. Navy as the executive service.
AARGM achieved Initial Operational Capability in July 2012 and was
approved by the Navy for Full Rate Production in September 2012. AARGM
is currently deployed with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps on the
F/A-18C/D Hornet, FA-18E/F Super Hornet and E/A-18G Growler aircraft,
and is being integrated for use on the Italian Air Force's Tornado ECR
aircraft.
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 U.S. and in
several international locations. For more information, visit www.orbitalatk.com.

Source: Orbital ATK
Orbital ATK
Media Contact:
Bryan Kidder, 410-864-4932
Defense
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bryan.kidder@orbitalatk.com
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