Orbital ATK

Orbital ATK Inc.
Company type	Public
Industry	Aerospace and defense
Predecessor	Orbital Sciences Corporation, Alliant Techsystems (select divisions)
Founded	February 9, 2015; 11 years ago in United States
Defunct	June 6, 2018
Fate	Acquired by Northrop Grumman; operations renamed Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems
Headquarters	Dulles, Virginia, United States
Area served	Worldwide
Products	Rocket propulsion systems, military vehicles, firearms, autocannons, missiles, ammunition, precision-guided weapons, satellites, missile warning technologies, launch vehicles, spacecraft
Parent	Northrop Grumman (2018–present)

Orbital ATK Inc. was a U.S.-based aerospace and defense firm established on February 9, 2015, following the combination of Orbital Sciences Corporation and select divisions of Alliant Techsystems (ATK). The company focused on the development and production of rocket propulsion systems, military vehicles, firearms, autocannons, missiles, ammunition, precision-guided weapons, satellites, missile warning technologies, launch vehicles, and spacecraft. On June 6, 2018, Northrop Grumman completed its acquisition of the company, subsequently renaming its operations Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems until a restructuring in 2020 merged these activities into other Northrop Grumman sectors.

History

The announcement of the merger between Orbital Sciences Corporation and ATK’s aerospace and defense segments came on April 29, 2014. Prior to this, the two entities had partnered on multiple initiatives, including integrating approximately 400 ATK rocket motors into Orbital’s launch vehicle platforms. The merger finalized on February 9, 2015; simultaneously, ATK separated its sporting goods business to form Vista Outdoor.

On September 18, 2017, Northrop Grumman revealed intentions to purchase Orbital ATK for $7.8 billion in cash plus $1.4 billion in assumed liabilities. The transaction received shareholder approval on November 29, 2017. The Federal Trade Commission granted regulatory clearance with conditions on June 5, 2018. The following day marked the rebranding of Orbital ATK as Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems.

Starting January 1, 2020, Northrop Grumman reorganized its business units; most operations from Innovation Systems were consolidated into a newly formed Space Systems division along with other company segments.

Flight Systems Group

Headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, the Flight Systems Group oversees the management of launch vehicles such as Pegasus, Minotaur, and Antares, in addition to programs involving solid propulsion and aerostructures. This unit also operates the Stargazer aircraft utilized for air-launching Pegasus rockets to deliver payloads. As of January 1, 2020, the Flight Systems Group was integrated into Northrop Grumman Space Systems.

Defense Systems Group

Situated near Baltimore, Maryland, the Defense Systems Group specializes in producing tactical missile systems, defense-related electronics, and medium- to large-caliber ammunition. Its manufacturing scope includes fuzing mechanisms, warheads, precision metal and composite structural components for military platforms, assembly and packaging of medium-caliber munitions, as well as propellants serving both canisterized and commercial sectors. This division was incorporated into Northrop Grumman Defense Systems at the start of 2020.

Space Systems Group

The Space Systems Group of Orbital ATK provided satellites catering to commercial ventures, scientific research, and national security needs. Additionally, it manufactured the Cygnus cargo spacecraft designed for resupply missions to the International Space Station. This group was based in Dulles, Virginia.

Rockets

Antares, expendable medium-lift launch vehicle with two or three stages
Minotaur I, four-stage small-lift expendable launch system
Minotaur IV, four-stage small-lift expendable launch vehicle
Minotaur V, five-stage launcher capable of geosynchronous transfer and trans-lunar missions
Minotaur VI, five-stage medium-lift expendable launch vehicle
Minotaur-C, four-stage small-lift expendable launch vehicle
Pegasus, air-launched four-stage small-lift vehicle
OmegA, a medium- to heavy-lift launch vehicle project that was cancelled

Rocket Propulsion Systems

GEM-40, a solid-fuel booster utilized on the Delta II launch vehicle
GEM-60, solid rocket booster designed for the Delta IV launch system
GEM-63, solid propellant booster employed on the Atlas V rocket
GEM-63XL, enhanced solid rocket booster developed for the Vulcan launch vehicle
Castor 4, solid rocket motor used in the Maxus sounding rocket
Castor 30, solid propellant motor integrated with the Antares launch vehicle
Castor 120, solid rocket motor applied on the Minotaur-C rocket
Space Launch System Solid Rocket Booster, adapted from the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster

Spacecraft

Al Yah 3, satellite dedicated to communications operated by Al Yah Satellite Communications
HYLAS-4, communications satellite managed by Avanti Communications
SES-16, communications satellite launched for SES S.A.
Landsat 9, Earth observation satellite developed for NASA and the United States Geological Survey (USGS)
JPSS-2, meteorological and environmental satellite for NASA and NOAA
ICESat-2, satellite focused on ice surface mapping, operated by NASA
Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), space telescope mission under NASA
Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICE), scientific research mission conducted by NASA
Cygnus, autonomous cargo spacecraft servicing the ISS
Dawn, NASA probe orbiting the dwarf planet Ceres

Ammunition

Mk310 PABM-T airburst rounds compatible with the MK44

Small Arms

XM25 CDTE, airburst grenade launcher system

References