In August, ATK’s Defense Electronic Systems hosted a ceremony commemorating the delivery of the 100th production AARGM missile to the U.S. Navy. The event was held in ATK’s Ridgecrest, CA facility and was attended by approximately 70 distinguished guests including elected officials, community leaders, employees and industry partners, with Gordon Turner, Vice President Strike Weapons, emceeing the event.

Speakers included Bill Kasting, Vice President and General Manager of DES, Scott O’Neil, Naval Air Warfare Center-Weapons Division Executive Director,  Rear Admiral Mathias Winter, Program Executive Officer for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons, and 23rd Congressional District U.S. Representative Kevin McCarthy, the House Majority Whip.

Delivery of the 100th Navy missile represents a significant achievement on the path to AARGM Full Operational Capability (FOC), planned for September 2014. AARGM achieved Initial Operational Capability in July 2012, and has been in Full Rate Production since the August 2012 Full Rate Production (FRP) Milestone Decision.

“This is a very special milestone for ATK as it marks significant progress in fielding this much needed capability for the warfighter. Our success would not have been possible without the strong support and steadfast dedication of our government and industry team and we continue to focus on delivering AARGM’s game-changing capabilities to the U.S. Navy and Italian Air Force,” said Bill Kasting, Vice President and General Manager for ATK’s Defense Electronic Division.