DULLES, Va., Jan. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) announced today that it was recently awarded a contract by the United States Naval Sea Systems Command to study concepts and cost projections for the development and deployment of an Advanced Land Attack Missile (ALAM) system to be used aboard the Navy's DD 21 Zumwalt-class Land Attack Destroyer. Once the ALAM system is fully deployed and tested in the field, it will offer the Navy the range, responsiveness, survivability and all-weather capability required for its evolving Land Attack/Littoral warfare needs.
The four-month study, which Orbital began this month, will assist the Navy in completing its analysis of alternatives and in preparing for the next phase of the ALAM program. The company will provide the Navy with an assessment of ALAM system requirements and concepts for its operation, performance and cost. Orbital was awarded the study contract based on high-speed missile concepts the company submitted under a previous Navy solicitation, as well as its ability to perform complete systems integration should the company be selected for the next phase of the program.
"The ALAM concept study award is a significant step forward in our strategy to grow and diversify beyond our traditional launch vehicle products, which currently include space launch vehicles, ballistic missile targets and suborbital launch systems," said Mr. Ronald J. Grabe, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Orbital's Launch Systems Group. "By awarding us this contract, the Navy recognizes that Orbital's proven ability to produce highly reliable, innovative and cost-effective launch systems can be applied directly to the design and development of affordable sea-based missile systems."
Mr. Michael J. Bender, Senior Manager of Business Development for Orbital's Launch Systems Group, who leads the company's pursuit of Navy programs, added, "The ALAM award caps off a landmark year for Orbital and the U.S. Navy. The ALAM contract follows the company's win of the $34 million Supersonic Sea Skimming Target development program in June and our acquisition of the Vandal cruise missile target product line. In addition, we continue to support the Navy with ballistic missile target systems for the Navy Theater Wide program. We look forward to competing on the next phase of the ALAM program and offering the Navy the industry's best-value solutions for future missile system programs."
Orbital is one of the largest space technology and satellite services companies in the world, with 1999 total enterprise revenues (including revenues from unconsolidated affiliates) of approximately $915 million. The company, headquartered in Dulles, Virginia, employs about 4,500 people at major facilities in the United States, Canada and several overseas locations.
Orbital is one of the world's leading manufacturers of low-cost space systems, including satellites, launch vehicles, electronics and sensors, satellite ground systems and related digital infrastructure. Its Magellan subsidiary is a pioneer in satellite-based navigation and communications products for consumer and industrial markets. Through its ORBCOMM and ORBIMAGE affiliates and ORBNAV subsidiary, Orbital is also a major operator of satellite-based networks that provide data communications, high-resolution imagery and automotive information services to customers all around the world. More information about Orbital can be found at http://www.orbital.com . SOURCE Orbital Sciences Corporation
CONTACT: Media: Barron Beneski, 703-406-5000, or beneski.barron@orbital.com, or Investors: Timothy Perrott 703-406-5997, or perrott.tim@orbital.com, both of Orbital Sciences Corporation/