Ford Aerospace Gets $92-Million Contract

Ford Aerospace & Communications Corp. in Newport Beach has received a $92-million contract from the U.S. Army Missile Command in Redstone Arsenal, Ala., to build 50 Chaparral surface-to-air missile systems, missiles and test equipment, the company said last week.

The work will be handled by the company’s aeronutronic division in Newport Beach.

Robert O. Case Jr., vice president and general manager of the aeronutronic division, said the division would build approximately 1,000 MIM-72 missiles and a variety of test equipment for use with the Chaparral systems in addition to the 50 firing units. Deliveries will begin in March 1987.

Ford Aerospace has been the prime contractor to the Army for the Chaparral system since 1965. The latest contract will not require additional hiring at the Newport Beach plant.