Orbital ATK producing more AARGM missiles

Additional Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles are to be produced by Orbital ATK for the U.S. Navy and the Air Forces of Italy and Australia.

The U.S. Navy contract for full-rate production of the Lot Four and Lot Five missiles has a combined total value of $260 million, the company said.

"With the rapid proliferation of threats emerging around the world, AARGM provides significant advanced capabilities to those protecting our nation each and every day," said Bill Kasting, vice president and general manager of Orbital ATK's Defense Electronic Systems division of the Defense Systems Group. "AARGM continues to provide the U.S. Navy and our allies with the most advanced system against surface-to-air threats."

AARGM is a supersonic, air-launched tactical missile system with the capability to destroy enemy air defense systems. It is integrated into the weapons systems on the FA-18C/D Hornet, FA-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft and is expected to gain initial operational capability on Italian Air Force Tornado ECR aircraft in 2017.

The contract covers All-Up Round missiles and captive air training missiles for the U.S. Navy and Italian Air Force as well as the second Foreign Military Sales order for the Royal Australian Air Force.