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World Defense & Security Industry News - Orbital ATK
 
 
Orbital ATK to provide rocket motors for AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles
 
Orbital ATK, Inc., a global leader in aerospace and defense technologies, announced today that it has received a contract award from the U.S. Air Force for production of the AIM-9P Sidewinder rocket motor. Orbital ATK will complete a First Article Acceptance Test on the rocket motor for the Sidewinder Missile System and produce motor-lots for the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.
     
Orbital ATK to provide rocket motors for AIM 9P Sidewinder missiles 640 001AIM-9 Sidewinder missile short range air-to-air missile
     
Originally definitized in 2014, this contract is a significant milestone for allied countries carrying the 9P Sidewinder in their inventory, creating an opportunity to affordably extend the life of their Sidewinder missiles. Today's announcement confirms contract modification for Contract Line Number 1, finalized in June 2015.

“Given the effectiveness and popularity of the Sidewinder Missile System, we believe there is strong demand among our allies to extend the life of their existing missiles with new motors and components," said Pat Nolan, Vice President and General Manager of Orbital ATK's Missile Products division of the Defense Systems Group. “This contract creates a window of opportunity for our customers to effectively manage the life-cycle cost of their arsenal.”

Orbital ATK’s SR116-HP-1 rocket motor powers the AIM-9P version of the Sidewinder missile; a supersonic, heat-seeking, air-to-air missile. In addition to the FMS customers, Orbital ATK has already signed a Direct Commercial Sales contract to provide AIM-9P motors and other components valued at more than $10 million to an international ally.

Originally developed in 1978, the AIM-9P Sidewinder has received several upgrades including development of Orbital ATK’s SR116-HP-1 reduced-smoke rocket motor. The SR116-HP-1 rocket motor will be produced at Orbital ATK’s Rocket Center, West Virginia, facility, where more than 30,000 Sidewinder motors have been produced to date.

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.