Live Fire Test Demonstrates Program s Block 1 Upgrade Capability
DULLES, Va.Sep. 23, 2015--
Orbital ATK, Inc. (NYSE: OA), a global leader in aerospace and defense
technologies, and the U.S. Navy successfully launched and scored a hit
against the Mobile Ship Target during Block 1 upgrade test firings of
the AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) at the Point
Mugu Sea Range on Aug. 18, 2015.
Orbital ATK s AARGM scores a hit against a mobile ship target during Block 1 upgrade test firings. (Photo: Business Wire)
The block upgrade testing demonstrated that the hardware, software and
aircraft systems all worked together resulting in the successful live
fire of the weapon, said Bill Kasting, Vice President and General
Manager of Orbital ATK s Defense Electronic Systems division of the
Defense System s Group. We look forward to rolling out these upgrades
throughout the fleet, upon the successful completion of follow-on
operational testing.
This first Block 1 live fire test demonstrated the weapon s
effectiveness against a moving ship, said Gordon Turner, Vice President
Strike Weapons. This is the first live-fire test in a series of
live-fire and captive-carry events that will assess the missile s
software modifications made to deliver new capabilities to the
warfighter.
The AARGM shot was launched from a U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet in a
scenario designed to test the missile s capabilities against mobile ship
targets employing advanced tactics. The AARGM utilized its advanced
anti-radiation homing sensor and millimeter wave radar to successfully
detect, identify, locate and engage the moving maritime target.
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. Team members from the Naval Air Warfare Center
Weapons Division - China Lake led the AARGM Block 1 Upgrade test.
Additional test team members included Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons
Division Point Mugu, Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Three One, and
the Naval Air Systems Command.
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 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. It is able to rapidly engage traditional and non-traditional
advanced land- and sea-based air-defense threats, as well as striking,
time-sensitive targets.
AARGM is currently deployed with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps.
AARGM achieved Initial Operational Capability in July 2012 and was
approved by the Navy for Full Rate Production in September 2012.
AARGM is a U.S. Navy and Italian Air Force international cooperative
major acquisition program with the U.S. Navy as the executive agent.
AARGM is currently deployed and supporting operational requirements for
the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps. The missile is integrated into the
weapons system on the F/A-18C/D Hornet, FA-18E/F Super Hornet and
E/A-18G Growler aircraft. AARGM is anticipated to achieve Initial
Operational Capability on the Italian Air Force s Tornado ECR aircraft
in 2017.
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 more than 12,000 people in 18 states across the U.S. and in
several international locations. For more information, visit www.orbitalatk.com.
Release 15-0154 Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Source: Orbital ATK, Inc.
Media Contact:
Orbital ATK
Bryan Kidder, 410-864-4932
Defense
Systems Group Communications
bryan.kidder@orbitalatk.com
or
Investor
Contact:
Orbital ATK
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Public
and Investor Relations
barron.beneski@orbitalatk.com