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Orbital ATK Inc. was an American aerospace manufacturer and defense industry company. It was formed in February 9, 2015 from the merger of Orbital Sciences Corporation and parts of Alliant Techsystems (ATK). Orbital ATK designed, built, and delivered rocket engines, military vehicles, firearms, autocannons, missiles, ammunition, precision-guided munitions, satellites, missile approach warning systems, launch vehicles and spacecraft. The company was acquired by Northrop Grumman on June 6, 2018. The former Orbital ATK operations were renamed Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems and operated as a division until January 1, 2020 when a reorganization merged the operations into the company's other divisions.

History

A merger of Orbital Sciences Corporation and the defense and aerospace divisions of Alliant Techsystems (ATK) was announced on April 29, 2014. The two companies had collaborated on several previous projects, including the use of 400 ATK rocket motors in Orbital's launch vehicles.[3] The deal officially closed on February 9, 2015. ATK's sporting-goods division spun off to form Vista Outdoor on the same day.[4]

On September 18, 2017, Northrop Grumman announced plans to purchase Orbital ATK for US$7.8 billion in cash plus assumption of US$1.4 billion in debt.[5] Orbital ATK shareholders approved the buyout on November 29, 2017.[6] The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) approved the acquisition with conditions on June 5, 2018, and on June 6, 2018, Orbital ATK was renamed Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems.[7][8]

With Northrop Grumman's reorganization of its divisions effective January 1, 2020, Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems was split, with most of the sector merging with other Northrop Grumman businesses into a new Space Systems sector.[9]

Organization

Flight Systems Group

Based in Chandler, Arizona,[4] the Flight Systems Group includes the Pegasus, Minotaur, and Antares launch vehicles as well as solid-propulsion and aerostructures programs.[2] The company also operates a Lockheed L-1011 TriStar wide body jetliner, which is named Stargazer and is used to air launch Pegasus rockets carrying payloads into space.[10] The Stargazer aircraft is also used for testing under specific programs. The Flight Systems Group became part of Northrop Grumman Space Systems on January 1, 2020.

Defense Systems Group

The Defense Systems Group, based in the Baltimore, Maryland[4] area, produces tactical missiles, defense electronics, and medium- and large-caliber ammunition. The division also produces fuzing and warheads for both tactical missiles and munitions; precision metal and composite structures for medium and large-caliber ammunition, military aircraft, ground vehicles, and missile systems; load, assembly, and pack (LAP) of medium caliber munitions; and propellants and powders for the canister and commercial markets. The Defense Systems Group became part of Northrop Grumman Defense Systems on January 1, 2020.

Space Systems Group

Orbital ATK's Space Systems Group provides satellites for commercial, scientific, and security purposes.[2] This group also produces the Cygnus spacecraft, which delivers cargo to the International Space Station. The group was based at the company's headquarters on Warp Drive in Dulles, Virginia.[4]

Products

Rockets

Antares rocket launches the Orb-2 mission.

Rocket engines

A GEM 40 solid rocket motor being prepared for integration with a Delta II launch vehicle

Spacecraft

The spacecraft Cygnus transporting cargo to the ISS on behalf of NASA.

Munitions

Firearms

See also

References

  1. ^ "Annual report Form 10-K 2017 Orbital ATK Inc". February 21, 2018. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Berger, Brian (February 12, 2015). "Orbital ATK Org Charts Detail the Newly Merged Company". SpaceNews. Archived from the original on February 13, 2015. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  3. ^ Aitoro, Jill R. (April 29, 2014). "Why the merger of ATK and Orbital Sciences makes sense". Washington Business Journal. Archived from the original on February 20, 2015. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  4. ^ a b c d Wall, Mike (February 10, 2015). "Orbital ATK, Merger of Orbital Sciences and ATK, Begins Operations". Space.com. Archived from the original on April 19, 2019. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  5. ^ "Northrop Grumman to Acquire Orbital ATK for $9.2 Billion" (PDF) (Press release). Falls Church and Dulles, Virginia: Northrop Grumman Corporation. September 18, 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 27, 2018.
  6. ^ "Orbital ATK Shareholders Vote to Approve Acquisition by Northrop Grumman". news.northropgrumman.com (Press release). Falls Church, Virginia: Northrop Grumman Corporation. November 29, 2017. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  7. ^ "FTC Imposes Conditions on Northrop Grumman's Acquisition of Solid Rocket Motor Supplier Orbital ATK, Inc" (Press release). Federal Trade Commission. June 5, 2018. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 6, 2018. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  8. ^ Erwin, Sandra (June 5, 2018). "Acquisition of Orbital ATK approved, company renamed Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems". SpaceNews. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  9. ^ "Northrop launches new divisions focused on space, cyber, unmanned tech". September 20, 2019. Archived from the original on September 23, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  10. ^ "Orbital ATK". www.orbitalatk.com. Archived from the original on June 1, 2018. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  11. ^ "30mm & 20mm x 173mm Munition System". www.orbitalatk.com. Archived from the original on July 2, 2017. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  12. ^ "Brochure" (PDF). orbitalatk.com. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 29, 2017. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
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