Orbital ATK (OA), a global leader in aerospace and defense technologies, announced it has entered into a partnership agreement with the U.S. Air Force (USAF) Sustainment Center to help support the nation’s most advanced military aircraft.
The public-private partnership incorporates complementary, state-of-the-art composite aerostructure design, manufacturing and inspection capabilities at The Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma; The Ogden Air Logistics Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah; The Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, and Orbital ATK's Aerospace Structures Division headquartered in Clearfield, Utah.
This partnership agreement will facilitate strategic teaming to address future composite aerostructure needs on new aircraft platforms or the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) of existing platforms. The combined capability of the three U.S. Air Force MRO depots that comprise the Sustainment Center and Orbital ATK will enable opportunities to assist each other in on-going programs and contracts.
“It is remarkable that the world’s leading centers for advanced composite fabrication can partner long-term to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of all operations involved and ultimately increase the speed at which aircraft are repaired and returned to the field,” said U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General Lee Levy, Commander, Air Force Sustainment Center, Air Force Materiel Command, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma.
“This partnership is a great opportunity to combine the complementary capabilities in advanced composite materials fabrication, test and inspection held by the U.S. Air Force Sustainment Center and Orbital ATK to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of both operations,” said Steve Earl, Vice President and General Manager of Orbital ATK’s Aerospace Structures Division.
“We have great admiration for the U.S. Air Force Sustainment Center and are honored to enter into this partnership agreement,” he added.
The U.S. Air Force Sustainment Center has a long history of providing sustainment and logistics readiness to deliver combat power for America. Included within this sustainment activity are advanced composite structures fabrication, inspection and repair capabilities that have been vital to the MRO of the nation’s most advanced military aircraft.
Orbital ATK has been extensively involved in the design, development and fabrication of multiple composite structures ranging from filament wound rocket motor cases produced since the 1950’s to critical structural components for advanced military aircraft, such as the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II combat fighter, and new-generation commercial platforms, such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350 widebody aircraft.
Orbital ATK is a global leader in aerospace and defense technologies. The company designs, builds and delivers space, defense and aviation systems for customers around the world, both as a prime contractor and merchant supplier. Its main products include launch vehicles and related propulsion systems; missile products, subsystems and defense electronics; precision weapons, armament systems and ammunition; satellites and associated space components and services; and advanced aerospace structures.
Headquartered in Dulles, Virginia, Orbital ATK employs approximately 13,000 people across the U.S. and in several international locations.
