Hughes Group to Pursue British Missile Contract

Hughes Aircraft Co. said its missile systems group in Canoga Park plans to join British Aerospace Dynamics in pursuing a British contract to develop advanced short-range air-to-air missiles (ASRAAMs).

The United Kingdom Ministry of Defence recently asked for bids for the full-scale development of the missiles, and the winning bidder is expected to be announced early next year, Hughes said. In the meantime, Hughes will be a subcontractor in the missiles’ development.

Regardless of whether the Hughes group wins the contract, Hughes said it was confident that the “ASRAAM will be the missile of choice for many countries” and that it has a potential world market of up to 15,000 missiles.